THE Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) is investigating the lawyers of its district office in Meycauayan, Bulacan, over a social media post about a client’s alleged experience of inappropriate treatment.
Deputy Chief Public Attorney Ana Lisa Soriano told The Manila Times on Friday that PAO Chief Persida Rueda-Acosta has immediately ordered an investigation of PAO-Meycauayan personnel, including its head.
Soriano said the chief public attorney understood the public’s concern and sentiment regarding the incident, as the latter “deeply regrets that a client experienced or perceived inappropriate treatment while seeking legal assistance at our office.”
As a result, PAO’s Legal Research Service has been directed to conduct an inquiry involving the concerned PAO-Meycauayan staff, as they were issued a notice to explain to give them an opportunity to present their side, according to Soriano.
In a Facebook and TikTok post, one Inday Panadera Gelyn, said she went to the district office to get something when her attention was drawn to a supposedly PAO female staff member, who was wearing a green dress and frowning while holding a paper.
Gelyn said the PAO staff member approached an elderly man whom she appeared to be reprimanding for leaving more blanks on the paper he submitted.
As he tried to explain that the hospital was closed when he went, the lady PAO personnel quickly responded again in an apparently rude tone, “the hospital was not closing; there was no hospital there” before turning away, with eyes rolling (nakairap).
Soriano said the concerned public attorneys were ordered to submit their individual explanations of what happened within 72 hours.
“The public can rest assured that due process will be respected and that a fair and orderly hearing will be conducted,” Soriano said.
Should the person be found liable, the appropriate administrative measures will be imposed in accordance with existing rules and regulations, she added.
In a separate interview, Rueda-Acosta said the agency does not condone any improper or unacceptable conduct by its lawyers and personnel toward clients.
“We continue to uphold the importance of orderly, respectful, humane, and professional delivery of services to the public, especially to those in need of free legal aid,” Rueda-Acosta said.
“The PAO will continue to strive to maintain the public’s trust and to ensure that every person who seeks assistance at our offices is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion,” the top PAO official vowed.
No ill intention
Inday Panadera Gelyn said she had no intention of maligning any public servant when she shared a viral post about the alleged treatment of an elderly client at the PAO in Meycauayan, Bulacan.
In statements posted on her Facebook and TikTok accounts, Gelyn said she took down the post after the concern she raised in her post was addressed by the PAO authorities.
“I had no intention of maligning or damaging the reputation of any public servant. Everything I shared was true and based on what I personally witnessed inside the office,” Gelyn said.
In her statement, Gelyn said the incident should remind public servants to treat ordinary citizens with respect and compassion, especially elderly people seeking assistance.
“May this serve as a reminder that we should not have to wait for an incident to go viral before public servants treat ordinary citizens properly, humanely, and with respect,” she said.
Gelyn also thanked those who extended their support and understanding after her post went viral.
