OSG probes child abuse case vs exec in US

MANILA, Philippines - The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) is investigating a child abuse case against Assistant Solicitor General Derek Puertollano in the United States, Solicitor General Jose Calida said Thursday.

“My office is conducting independent fact-finding investigation of this incident. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” he told The STAR in a text message.

Puertollano was arrested last month in the US for allegedly sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II also said Thursday that the ranking government lawyer did not have travel authority from the Department of Justice (DOJ) when he flew to the US last month.

But Aguirre quickly said there was nothing wrong with it as he already discussed the matter with Calida.

“He (Puertollano) got his travel permit from the OSG, and as discussed with Calida that is allowed because they are an independent agency from the DOJ,” he explained.

Puertollano was on official business in Washington for a seminar on international arbitration.

Court records showed that Puertollano was charged with “misdemeanor sexual abuse of a child or minor” on Nov. 19.

He posted a bond to gain temporary freedom, but cannot leave the US as he was ordered to surrender all his passports 48 hours to pretrial services.

A stay away order has also been filed against him.

A hearing under Judge William Jackson has been set on Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m. (US time).