OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio-Morales hit out at President Rodrigo Duterte Friday, saying he has no business meddling in the affairs of the Office of the Ombudsman.
At the Integrity and Anti-Corruptoin Initiative in Changing Times forum held at the Novotel Manila, Araneta Center in Quezon City, Morales reacted to the President’s stance that he had the final say on whether or not to allow policemen and soldiers to be summoned for investigation by the Ombudsman or the Commission on Human Rights.
The President called on the Ombudsman to “refrain from citing them for contempt because I have the authority to give the final say whether they attend or not.”
“Ano pakialam niya [What’s his business] under the law? We have subpoena powers,” Morales said.
While she was not invited to attend the State of the Nation Address on July 24, she said she was told about the President’s statement during a press conference.
“We have orders for particular officials, including police and soldiers, to show up or to file pleadings. If they don’t file pleadings, that’s their lookout,” Morales said.
“To say they need prior approval of the President, that’s the lookout of those to whom he is addressing that. There is no law that requires a soldier or a policeman, or any respondent, for that matter to seek clearance from anybody.”
She said the failure of one to appear can be tolerated under a situation when one is not properly informed about the date of the hearing.
“If it can be validated that they were not really notified about it, we will entertain their excuse. But when we can validate they were duly notified, but they did not show up… for example, if there is a complaint against them and are asked to file a counter-affidavit, and they don’t respond, that is their lookout. They are deemed to have waived filing a counter-affidavit to controvert the evidence,” she said.
“If there is evidence against one, the case will go on if there is probable cause irrespective if one answers or not.”
She said she didn’t care even if the President did not invite him to attend the Sona, “just like last year.”
“If there is a party or event for which you are not invited and you know your friends are invited, I am not sensitive about it,” she said.
“Many people criticize me for being like that or like this so I come up with a message every time there is someone attacking me. You may attempt to repress the messenger, but you cannot suppress the message,” she said.
She did not single out the President, however.
“Those who are hit, or whoever you are, must not get angry [at me]. There are many people attacking me as if they are already somebody. If you are the Ombudsman, it is a thankless job,” she said.
She said she cared less about being criticized because of her duty.
“I am not listening to anybody. I go by evidence. Why should I inhibit [myself if asked to do so] on what [ever] ground [that may be]? I am not a coward,” she said.
