PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was convinced that Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno and Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales were being used by "certain political forces" in a bid to remove him from office, Malacañang said Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the Chief Executive had no choice but to challenge Sereno and Morales to resign with him as he believed that the two officials were conniving with his political rivals to "discredit him and his administration."
"Well, it's his prerogative to make that call. The President believes the Supreme Court [Chief] Justice and the Ombudsman have allowed themselves to be used by certain political forces to discredit him and his administration, in order to spark public outrage and eventually oust him from the presidency," Abella told Palace reporters.
"In other words, he finds them suspect. And it is his prerogative to ask them to resign," he added.
Duterte, in a speech delivered over the weekend, dared Sereno and Morales to resign with him.
The President's call came amid the Ombudsman's probe into his alleged undeclared billions of pesos in several joint bank accounts with his family.
He turned the tables on Sereno and Morales, accusing the Chief Justice of being "corrupt" and the Ombudsman of practicing "selective justice."
Sereno is currently facing an impeachment complaint before the House justice committee. The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, on the other hand, has revealed a plan to file an impeachment case against Morales.
Duterte said that it would be best if the three of them quit their respective posts.
"I will not die if I lose the presidency," the President said at the oath-taking of new officers of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines local chapter in Davao City last Saturday.
"I challenge the two, we will go to Congress, in a simple ceremony, we sign the letter of resignation. Come on. Then let us open all the books, including yours," he added.
Both Sereno and Morales shrugged off the latest tirade of Duterte.
Sereno's counsel and spokesman, Carlo Cruz, said the Chief Justice would not issue an official statement regarding Duterte's challenge.
Morales insisted that her office would not be intimidated by the President, despite his persistent attacks against the anti-graft body.
'The Office has already stated its position – to abide by its constitutional duty. No need to add more," the Ombudsman said in a post on Twitter. (SunStar Philippine)
