De Lima reminds public fiscals to observe 'highest standard of integrity' as sex scandal rocks DOJ

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima on Thursday reminded public officials, especially those belonging to the Department of Justice (DOJ), to maintain "highest standards of integrity" in light of a sex video scandal involving government lawyers. The scandal involved a video clip showing a sexual tryst between an incumbent male prosecutor of the DOJ in Quezon City and a female lawyer who used to work for the Public Attorney's Office (PAO).   Authorities said the video was taken last year, when the two were still working for the PAO. The video was allegedly uploaded on the Internet by the prosecutor's wife. The prosecutor had already filed a complaint against his wife for voyeurism, while the two government lawyers are being investigated for grave coercion, grave threats and violation of Republic Act 9262 or Violence Against Women and Children. "The central issue is the merit and fitness of a person to function as a public prosecutor," De Lima told reporters in a text message. "That means living up to the highest standards of integrity." De Lima said the sex video scandal demonstrated the "emergence of the use and abuse of technology." She said the Quezon City Prosecutors' Office has already inhibited from the case since the prosecutor used to work for it. The complaint has already been forwarded to the DOJ main office in Manila. A disbarment case has already been filed in connection with the sex video scandal. Reports have it that the woman in the video is already in the US. "Let's just wait please for the outcome of those case," De Lima appealed to the public. — Mark D. Merueñas/KBK, GMA News