Acosta says corruption allegations against her ”demolition job”

August 16, 2019

Public Attorneys Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta said corruption allegations filed by their lawyers against her and Erwin Erfe, chief of its forensic laboratory in the Office of the Ombudsman is a ''demolition job.''

In a television interview on Friday, Acosta said the allegations were filed to distract the public from the Dengvaxia issue.

"This is a hoax, a demolition job. They are making up stories to make it seem like there is corruption in Public Attorney's Office (PAO)," Acosta explained.

"I've been with PAO for two decades now. Our funds are only enough to cover the salaries of the staff," she added.

Acosta said complainants wanted her out due to strong evidence against the Dengvaxia vaccine.

"They want to remove me from office to win their case. The evidence against the Dengvaxia (vaccine) is strong," said Acosta.

The Public Attorneys Office ( PAO) filed criminal complaints against former officials of the Department of the Health for the deaths of children who were inoculated with Dengvaxia.

More than 100 PAO lawyers have denied involvement or participation in the letter-complaint to the Office of the Ombudsman seeking the suspension of Acosta for an alleged scheme to defraud the agency of funds. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS