Makabayan bloc to Ombudsman: Defend your independence
Progressive lawmakers of the opposition House Makabayan bloc have called on the Office of the Ombudsman to defend its independence, following the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to dismiss Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang.
Duterte has ordered Carandang’s dismissal from service for graft and corruption and betrayal of trust.
READ: Malacañang fires Deputy Ombudsman Carandang
The Office of the President’s order to sack Carandang stemmed from complaints against him over disclosures to the media about some information on the alleged unexplained wealth of the President and members of his family.
“Syempre kailangan paninidigan ng Ombudsman ang kanilang independence as a constitutional body, alam naman natin nangyari dito eh, si Pangulong Duterte hindi niya tinatago na inaatake niya, di niya nirerespeto… whether it’s supposed to be an independent constitutional body…” ACT-Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said in a press conference.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate also believed that the move to sack Carandang was a revenge plot by the Duterte administration.
“Alam naman natin na si Carandang ay nagkaroon ng banggan with the present admin dahil nga sa kanyang pag-imbestiga sa mga kaso involving the President at kanyang allies,” Zarate said.
“Possibly lalagyan na naman ito ng kapalit na kaalyado din ng administrasyon,” he added.
Tinio backed Zarate’s statement adding, “Pag nagsalita ka laban kay Pangulo, pag nagsalita ka laban sa Duterte babalikan ka.”
Meanwhile, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao said Carandang’s dismissal could be a “test case” for newly-appointed Ombudsman, Samuel Martires.
“Magiging parang test case itong magiging bagong Ombudsman ngayon if he will allow na ang tao niya ay pasusundin sa kagustuhan ng Malacañang and will not assert the independence of the Ombudsman from any other co-equal or even other independent bodies,” Casilao pointed out.
Although the Ombudsman “could question the dismissal order before the Supreme Court,” the three lawmakers doubt its success alleging that the High Court is “part of the machinery controlled by Duterte.” /muf
