HOUSE minority leader Danilo Suarez said Wednesday that he will personally support the possible impeachment of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on grounds of "selective justice," but his other colleagues expressed disagreement.
In a press conference, Suarez together with Acts-OFW Partylist Representative John Bertiz and Buhay Partylist Representative Lito Atienza said the minority has no single stand on the issue.
For his part, Suarez said the Ombudsman should be ousted as "most of [the cases she filed were politically motivated."
"Yung kay Ombudsman, 'pag may nag file na isang memeber, I will support it... Selective justice. Kitang kita naman eh, 'yung abuso in the last six years up to now," he said.
According to Suarez, Morales was allegedly too soft on the allies of former President Benigno Aquino III, who appointed her after she retired as a Supreme Court associate justice.
"Well I know for a fact that a good number of public officials, cabinet secretaries [of Aquino] were charged with severe issues like plunder, walang finile ni isa," Suarez said.
The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) earlier vowed to pursue an impeachment complaint against Morales after she cleared Aquino of liability over the Disbursement Acceleration Program mess.
"They talked to me, yes," Suarez admitted when asked if VACC sought his endorsement of their complaint.
However, senior deputy minority leader Atienza said he will not support the impeachment of Morales as she has done a great job.
"I'm impressed with the record of the Ombudsman and I will disagree with my minority leader...I believe that the ombudsman has done a good job, I have no reason whatsoever to carry any rancor...We have three big-named senators who she sent to jail," Atienza said.
Bertiz agreed with Atienza's view that Morales performed well as an Ombudsman.
"Basically kung sa performance naman I think the Ombudsman is doing its job," he said.
Morales' term at the Office of the Ombudsman will expire in 2018.
But when asked if they will support the impeachment of President Rodrigo Duterte, the three said the minority bloc has already made up its mind to reject it.
"80 percent acceptance rating ii-impeach mo? That's a political suicide. You don't criticize someone with an 80 percent acceptance rating plus the fact that he's doing good...I'm very impressed with his performance as President," Suarez said.
"Personally, not only the stand of minority but the millions of OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), definitely hindi namin ito susuportahan," Bertiz added.
Duterte is facing an impeachment complaint filed by Magdalo Representative Gary Alejano. On Tuesday, the complaint was referred to the House justice panel. (SunStar Philippines)