THE DAILY TRIBUNE | Published December 1, 2029
The Office of the Ombudsman has asserted that it cannot suspend nor investigate Vice President Sara Duterte over her kill threat to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. because it was “personal in nature” and had nothing to do with her office.
In an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, Ombudsman Samuel Martires said that although his office has the sole authority to exercise such actions, as of now, he cannot find any grounds to acquire jurisdiction in the said case or launch a motu proprio inquiry into Duterte’s supposed threat.
“We have the authority to suspend, to investigate any government official or employee, but with respect to this particular instance, we do not find it as related to the office,” he added.
An enraged Duterte openly announced last week that she had already instructed someone to assassinate the President, First Lady Liza Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if the supposed plot against her succeeded amid what she called the continuing political attacks against her by administration allies.
The DoJ said Duterte may be charged for potential violations of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Law, libel, defamation, and grave threats, among others.
Earlier, Justice Undersecretary Jese Andres said that only the Ombudsman has the power to suspend the second-highest official of the land, not Marcos himself.
Aside from suspension, the VP, according to Andres, could also face disqualification from public office if found guilty of violating RA 11479.
Martires countered that while he can indeed take over any case at any stage of proceedings, including that of Duterte, he has yet to find anything to probe.
One of the functions vested in the Ombudsman is to investigate offenses such as illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient acts committed in relation to office.
But Martires contended that “not all offenses committed by high-ranking government officials will be under the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman,” especially if the offense lacks connection with their performance in duty.
READ FULL ARTICLE
SOURCE: www.tribune.net.ph
RELATED: Marcos says he ordered impeachment moves vs VP Sara Duterte stopped
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. (INQUIRER FILES)
THE DAILY INQUIRER| Published December 1, 2029
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Friday that he had told Congress not to file an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Marcos made the pronouncement after being asked to confirm a text message he supposedly sent to House leaders, which surfaced on Thursday.
“Well, it was actually a private communication, but it got leaked. Yes. Because that’s really my opinion,” Marcos said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“This is not important. This does not make a difference to even one single Filipino life. So why waste time on it?” he asked.
Marcos further pointed out that an impeachment complaint would only “tie down” both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“It will just take up all our time and for what? For nothing. For nothing. None of this will help improve a single Filipino life,” said Marcos.
READ FULL ARTICLE
SOURCE: www.newsinfo.inquirer.net
Be the first to comment