5 PASG lawyers to handle smuggling cases

The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has deputized five Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group lawyers to represent the government in cases filed against suspected smugglers, PASG announced yesterday.

The deputized lawyers, headed by PASG Director for Operations and National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Edmund Arugay, are PASG chief legal officers Virgilio Bruno, Luciano Millan Jr., Ruben Zacarias, Michael Victor Tezon, Frank Martin and NBI detailed lawyers Orlando Navallo and Cezar Bacani.

“(They) have been authorized by Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera to appear as counsels for PASG in all civil cases in the lower courts involving PASG officials or employees...making the success of all the cases filed against suspected smugglers depends entirely on the hands of PASG,” the statement said.

The lawyers will submit to the Solicitor General for review, approval and signature all important pleadings and motions pertaining to a case including motions to withdraw appeal as well as compromise agreement.

PASG chief Antonio Villar Jr. said “PASG lawyers who are privy to our anti-smuggling operations can defend our actions better.”

The deputation is valid until Oct. 23, 2009 unless sooner revoked by the OSG. – Paolo Romero