- Advertisement -

The seven representatives of the Makabayan bloc in Congress assailed Pres. Rodrigo Duterte for vilifying and intimidating the office of the Ombudsman in doing its constitutional mandate to investigate the alleged hidden and ill-gotten wealth of the President.

“We say that President Duterte should leave Ombudsman Carpio-Morales alone and let her do her job. He must back off,” the Makabayan statement reads.

- Advertisement -

The progressive representatives reiterated that Ombudsman Carpio-Morales is doing what is within the ambit of her functions.

“She is not usurping the functions of Congress, which has the sole power to initiate (with respect the House of Representatives) and to try and decide (with respect the Senate) all cases of impeachment. (1987 Constitution, Article XI, Section 3 (1, 6)),” they added in the statement.

The group said Carpio-Morales’ initiative to investigate Duterte, an impeachable public official, is well within the mandate granted to the Ombudsman under the 1987 Constitution.

“Article XI, Section 13. The Office of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, functions, and duties: Investigate on its own, or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public official, employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient. Investigate on its own, or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any public official, employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient,” the statement reads.

Duterte’s recent moves, the group said, are contrary to the President’s posture during the campaign period.

“It seems though that this move was just a big political gimmick because the waiver that Pres. Duterte and Sec. (Peter) Cayetano signed during the campaign was invalid, unusable and did not specify the banks or any account numbers,” the group said.

The statement is signed by Partylist Reps Antonio Tinio (Act Teachers), Emmi de Jesus (Gabriela), Carlos Isagani Zarate (Bayan Muna), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), Ariel Casilao (Anakpawis), and Sarah Jane Elago (Kabataan). (makabayan)

Disclaimer

Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.

- Advertisement -