DOJ: Silvestre Bello’s estafa case disqualified him from Ombudsman post

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has confirmed that Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III reportedly has a pending syndicated estafa case before the Department of Justice (DOJ) that caused his disqualification for the Ombudsman post.

Bello is believed to be one of the strongest candidates to replace Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

However, he was not included in the shortlist of candidates transmitted to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Guevarra said, “These cases have remained unresolved.”

Refusing to give details on Bello’s case, the DOJ chief said, “It’s enough to say that the pendency of these criminal cases (under preliminary investigation) directly caused Secretary Bello’s disqualification.” /vvp

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