NEWLY-installed Ombudsman Samuel Martires was urged Tuesday, July 31, to assert the independence of the Office of the Ombudsman.
"Kailangang panindigan ng Ombudsman ang kanilang independence as a constitutional body (The Ombudsman must assert its independence as a constitutional body)," said ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio.
"It's [for the] leadership of the Ombudsman to assert its independence. Test case niya (Martires) ito kung papakawalan niya ang tao," said Anakpawis Representative Ariel Casilao.
The call came after the Office of the President issued a dismissal order against Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang, who was found guilty of graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust.
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The dismissal order stemmed from the administrative complaint lodged by lawyers Manuelito Luna and Eligio Mallari against Carandang in October 2017, urging the Office of the President to remove him from office for divulging confidential information about Duterte and his family's alleged hidden wealth.
In January, Malacañang ordered the suspension of Carandang, but then Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales defied the order, citing a 2014 Supreme Court ruling that declared unconstitutional Section 8 (2) of the Republic Act 6770, which gave the President the power to discipline the deputy ombudsmen.
The Makabayan bloc said it is very clear that the order of Malacañang against Carandang stemmed from the latter's investigation into the Duterte family's wealth.
"Well, nakikita naman natin yung pattern sa Duterte administration, kay Pangulong Duterte at sa pamilyang Duterte. Pag-nagsalita ka laban kay pangulo, pag-nagsalita ka laban sa Duterte, babalikan ka," Tinio said.
Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate said decision to fire Carandang is the consummation of the administration's plan to unseat the latter.
"Alam naman natin na si Carandang ay nagkaroon ng banggaan with the present administration dahil nga sa kanyang pag-imbistiga sa mga kaso involving the President at kanyang allies," said Zarate.
"In fact, he was previously suspended also kaya parang ito yung consummation nung tangka ng present admin na alisin siya sa kanyang position," he added. (SunStar Philippines)