Malacañang assured yesterday that it would support an investigation into allegations of conflict of interest and other wrongdoings levelled against Justice Undersecretary Jose “Jojo” Cadiz after confirming that the Department of Justice (DOJ) official has tendered his resignation.
“To my knowledge, he has submitted his resignation,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in Filipino.
The Palace official, however, did not state whether or not the resignation had been accepted.
Cadiz’s resignation came a day after a news report was published stating that a construction company tied to his son secured more than P200 million in government projects in Ilocos Norte in 2023.
The report came on the heels of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co accusing the DOJ official of being Mr. Marcos’ “bagman” in alleged corruption schemes.
Castro told reporters that the issue has not been discussed with the President, but stressed that the government is open to probing the projects if they warrant investigation.
She also declined to confirm whether Cadiz previously served as an aide or associate of Mr. Marcos.
Asked about criticisms that officials close to the President tend to resign only after allegations surface, Castro said the public should view such resignations positively.
“Isn’t it better that they leave out of respect for the President and the people, even without a judgment yet?” she said, adding that it shows the administration does not tolerate corruption.
Castro stated that officials are expected to step aside if they believe their continued service could cast doubt on the President’s anti-corruption stance.
“They know what the President wants, corruption must be stamped out,” she said.
As this developed, the Office of the Ombudsman announced that it would be dedicating a fact-finding body to investigate Cadiz’s alleged involvement in anomalous flood control projects.
In a press briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said, “There is something that the Ombudsman has to look into, given all the allegations, however not yet sworn into, but there are other reports as well on his involvement, so definitely there will be a fact-finding body that will be dedicated to that as well,” he said.
“Wherever the evidence takes us, that is where we will go,” added Clavano.
In a separate briefing, Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Polo Martinez explained that there is no news yet of the acceptance of Cadiz’s resignation.
“As far as the DOJ is concerned, what we know is Usec. Cadiz has filed or has tendered his resignation with the Office of the President, being a presidential appointee. But as to whether or not this appointment has been accepted or acted upon, we have no news yet,” he said, explaining that the resignation was transmitted directly to the Office of the President.
For his part, Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon recalled that the resigned official still reported to the DOJ earlier this week.
