Newly appointed Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Friday vowed to stay impartial even if a complaint involved the family of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“If the evidence will show that there is a probable cause for the filing of charges against any member of the family, why not? That’s the reason why I was appointed [to this position],” Martires said.
“But if there is none, I hope the people could accept that.”
In other developments:
* Malacañang on Friday welcomed Martires’ appointment and vouched for his credentials and a strong record of upholding the law.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Martires’ record was untainted by scandal, and that he was most qualified to replace retired Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.
* Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Friday praised Duterte’s appointment of Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires as Ombudsman, saying he was the best choice for the job.
“The right man for the job,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.
* Senate President Vicente Sotto III expressed hope that Martires would do well.
“Track record shows that. It’s perhaps the reason he has the trust and confidence of the President,” he said.
Senator Panfilo Lacson said he did not know Martires well enough, but he had heard good things about his work in the judiciary.
“I hope he will speed up the resolution of cases pending in the Ombudsman without fear or favor,” he said.
Despite his two appointments as an associate justice of the Supreme Court in March 2017 and now as Ombudsman, Martirez said, he had no close ties to the President. Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta
He said he last saw Duterte in 2010.
In 2011, Martires was one of the three Sandiganbayan justices who absolved Duterte when he was Davao City mayor in a corruption case.
The President’s son, former-Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte, has a pending case before the Ombudsman.
Martires promised he would not allow himself to be used in a political vendetta.
He yesterday visited the Office of the Ombudsman a day after Duterte announced his decision to appoint him.
“I will not allow myself to be used by politicians to prosecute their political enemies. I don’t have that persecution complex,” he said.
“Whatever my stance before would be my stance today. [I know] There are cases being filed only to harass their political enemies,” Martires said.
He said he was ready to accept criticism.
“I am already expecting that. I cannot please everybody,” Martires said. With Vito Barcelo, Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta