Albayalde defends CIDG for asking Solgen’s help in preparing complaint vs Robredo, others

July 24, 2019

Philippine National Police chief General Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday defended the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for seeking a legal opinion from the Office of the Solicitor General regarding the sedition complaint filed against Vice President Leni Robredo and other members of the opposition.

In a press briefing, Albayalde said it was the legal department of CIDG that asked help from the OSG, denying that the latter was the one which prepared the affidavit of Joemel Advincula, alias "Bikoy," the hooded man in the series of video linking President Rodrigo Duterte's family members and former close aide and now Senator Christopher "Bong" Go to illegal drug trade.

Duterte's family and Go denied Advincula's allegation. Later Advincula retracted his statements and accused Robredo and other opposition personalities of being behind the videos.

“According to the director of CIDG, the legal department of CIDG had a consultation only with the department of OSG. They are not the ones who did it but its normal for us to seek advice, legal opinion of OSG being the sole legal counsel of all government entities and instrumentalities of our nation,” said Albayalde.

“Remember, they are our lawyers. There is no irregularity if we go to OSG to seek legal opinion and legal advice for that matter… OSG has no hand on that,” he added.

A news report said the OSG helped the CIDG in drafting Advincula's affidavit against Robredo and other critics of the President.

In a statement, the OSG confirmed helping the CIDG, saying it is its legal duty to serve its clients when they seek legal advice.

“By law (Executive Order No. 292, Instituting the 'Administrative Code of 1987', Section 35, Book IV, July 25, 1987), the OSG is the principal lawyer of the Republic of the Philippines, and all its agencies and departments, which includes, among others, the PNP-CIDG,” it said.

“Even Dean Pacifico Agabin has confirmed the legality of OSG’s action. It is also the duty of the OSG to abide by the client-lawyer confidentiality imposed by law. Hence, as lawyers, we cannot divulge details or information,” it added.

In earlier statements, Malacanang has denied involvement in the filing of sedition case against Robredo and other opposition members. Ella Dionisio/DMS