MANILA -  Malacañang expects Neric Acosta, Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and General Manager of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA), to follow the legal process after the Sandiganbayan issued a warrant of arrest against him. 
 
"We expect Secretary… Acosta to follow the rule of law and to follow the proper legal procedures especially when it comes to this case," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said. 
 
She said there is no word if Acosta will be relieved from his post nor if President Aquino will shoulder the payment for his bail.

The Sandiganbayan earlier released a warrant of arrest for Acosta and his mother for perjury charges.

Associate Justice Roland Horad, Sandiganbayan Fifth Division chairman, signed the arrest warrant of Acosta, currently the presidential adviser for environment, and his mother Soccoro.

The perjury raps stemmed from the alleged funneling in 2006 of Acosta and his mother of P5.5 million worth of priority development assistance fund (PDAF) to a private organization controlled by their family, the Bukidnon Vegetable Producers Cooperative.

Acosta was the representative of Bukidnon, while his mother was the mayor of Manolo Fortich town when the illegal transfer of funds was allegedly committed.

The Acostas also allegedly made it appear that the Sangguniang Bayan of Manolo Fortich approved the transfer of funds.