Ombudsman rejects Palace jurisdiction, probes own men

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

The Ombudsman has initiated its own investigation of Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang and Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Tuesday night said this was meant to assert the Ombudsman’s disciplinary powers over its own officials — rejecting the claim of jurisdiction by the Office of the President (OP) over the complaints brought against the two officials by lawyer Manuelito Luna.

Morales said Carandang and Clemente may face “administrative [liabilities] and also criminal, if called for.”

The OP suspended Carandang on Jan. 29 for disclosing President Duterte’s bank records in connection with the Ombudsman’s investigation his alleged unexplained wealth.

Luna also asked the OP to sanction Clemente on behalf of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo, who questioned Clemente’s decisions to dismiss him from office for using a portion of P480.7 million in revoked calamity funds and for the unauthorized release of P10-million intelligence funds. —Vince F. Nonato