Lawyers of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez will assist in prosecuting the graft case filed against Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. for the allegedly anomalous land lease deal at the Davao Penal Colony.
The anti-graft court's Sixth Division in a minute resolution dated May 23 granted the Ombudsman’s manifestation to allow lawyers, Edgardo de Jesus and Paul Joseph Mercado, to appear in the trial of the case filed by Alvarez.
“As prayed for, Attys. De Jesus and Mercado are allowed to sit beside and assist the assigned prosecutors, who shall, at all times, be in control of the prosecution of the present case,” the Sandiganbayan said.
However, the court prohibited De Jesus and Mercado from giving direct and cross examinations and raise objections during the trial since they were not deputized by the Office of the Ombudsman as special prosecutors.
“In no case shall Attys. De Jesus and Mercado actually take part in, and appear on behalf of the Office of the Ombudsman in the proceedings in the present case,” the anti-graft court said.
Mercado, a lawyer employed by the House of Representatives has secured an authority from the chamber's secretary general, lawyer Cesar Pareja, to “engage in limited practice of profession.”