MANILA, Philippines?Malacañang kept a distance from reports that an official of the Ombudsman might have played a key role in sending dismissed policeman Rolando Mendoza on a murderous rage out of frustration over a case that led to his dismissal.

Secretary Herminio Coloma, presidential communications operations office head, said Malacañang was leaving it up to the joint Department of Justice-Department of Interior and Local Government committee now investigating the hostage bloodbath to determine the extent of the role of the Ombudsman official in the case.

Coloma, in an interview over radio station dzBB, said the committee was in the better position to assess and evaluate testimony made by Chief Insp. Romeo Salvador, deputy negotiator during the hostage drama, that he heard Mendoza curse someone from the Ombudsman that he was talking with over the phone.

Salvador testified hearing Mendoza shout expletives at the person, mentioning a P150,000 price for favorable action on Mendoza?s case by the Office of the Ombudsman.

Mendoza was dismissed from the service for allegedly extorting money from a chef held for possession of illegal drugs.

Mendoza?s youngest sister, Cathy Delgado, said the now controversial younger brother of the slain hostage-taker, SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, has left the family hometown in Batangas but was ready to appear in court if he needed to.

?I just can?t tell you where he is exactly right now for security reasons. But I?m sure he?ll present himself in court,? she said.

Gregorio has been charged with disobedience for defying orders for him to stay clear of the bus that Rolando commandeered. Authorities, however, said he was also suspected of conniving with Rolando.

Cathy said she couldn?t help but feel remorse upon learning that a letter had been prepared reinstating her brother, once a decorated policeman, but it wasn?t delivered.

?We have since gone our separate ways,? said Cathy of the Mendoza clan following the Aug. 23 bloodbath.

The arraignment for Gregorio Mendoza was set on Sept. 28.

Gregorio?s arrest at the height of the hostage negotiations is being cited as one of the reasons for the collapse of efforts to bring a peaceful end to the hostage drama. With a report from Maricar Cinco, Inquirer Southern Luzon