Petralba to act on "illegal activities" inside her office

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Prosecutor Pepita Jane Petralba is expected to take action against reports of illegal activities inside the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office as soon as she returns from Hong Kong next week.

Petralba said that she wants an investigation into accusations that Assistant Regional State Prosecutor Vicente Mañalac has been issuing subpoenas to debtors using the letterhead of Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.

Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Meinrado Paredes, on the other hand, said that he would be meeting with judges next week on rules of posting notices and open letter in the Regional Trial Court.

Paredes said that any letter or notice should have a clearance from his office before it will be posted in court.

After filing a case for insubordination against Petralba last week for not complying with his memo to have his cubicles cleaned, Mañalac wrote an open letter challenging Petralba to a debate.

“Let us debate or hold an open forum before judges, prosecutors and fellow attorneys on all matters of public importance and allow them to question us,” the Mañalac’s letter reads. Mañalac proposed that the debate will be held at the session hall of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines shortly after Petralba’s arrival from Hong Kong.

He said he will debate with Petralba anytime with lawyer Democrito Barcenas as moderator.

Some lawyers who have read Mañalac’s letter could not help but laugh, while others commented on why he continues to be in the prosecution service. — Jasmin R. Uy/LPM (THE FREEMAN)