SolGen insists authority on assisting PNP in 'Bikoy' cases
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) insisted that it has authority in assisting the Philippine National Police in drafting the affidavit of Peter Joemel Advincula alias "Bikoy."
This is in response to the statement of former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay that doing so is beyond the jurisdiction of the OSG.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Hilbay said the OSG does not have the authority to assist a client for purposes of initiating criminal complaints.
Hitting back at Hilbay, the OSG said the former's statement was "self-serving" as he is one of the 36 respondents in the sedition case.
"The OSG is firm with its earlier position that as statutory counsel of the Government and all its agencies and instrumentalities, the OSG is well- within the bounds of law in rendering legal services sought by PNP, its client-agency," the OSG said in a statement released Friday.
The statement further said that having been the previous solicitor general, Hilbay should have been aware that the OSG is "bound to serve its clients in any matter."
The OSG stressed that legal services rendered to the PNP is not limited to giving opinions or representing the police in court but also in "all and every aspect where legal know-how is needed."
Hilbay also said the OSG is putting itself in a difficult spot as there is conflict of interest in the appeal stage.
The camp of Solicitor General Jose Calida rebuked Hilbay's statement, saying the OSG serves to defend and protect the people of the Philippines.
"The OSG, as stated in the Administrative Code of 1987, is the 'law office of the government' and the Solicitor General serves as the 'principal law officer and legal defender of the government,'" the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has sent subpoenas to the respondents in the sedition case, including Vice President Leni Robredo.
The preliminary investigation is scheduled on August 8. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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