Malacañang stands firm on firing of Deputy Ombudsman Carandang

Malacañang is firm on its stance that the order of the Office of the President (OP) to dismiss Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang is legal and constitutional.

Carandang’s firing stemmed from complaints hurled against him for disclosing information to the media that they have evidence of the alleged unexplained wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte’s family.

However, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said the firing of Carandang for graft and corruption and for betrayal of public trust is within the bounds of the law.

Roque made the remark in response to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s claim that the dismissal order against Carandang was “illegal” and “unconstitutional.”

“Senator Antonio Trillanes is entitled to his opinion on the dismissal of Overall Deputy Ombudsman Carandang,” Roque said in a statement.

“The Palace, however, maintains its position that the decision is legal and constitutional,” the Presidential Spokesperson stressed.

READ: Trillanes hits order dismissing Deputy Ombudsman

Also on Thursday, Trillanes issued a statement condemning the dismissal of Carandang from service.

“Not only is this illegal and unconstitutional since the Office of Ombudsman is an autonomous constitutional body, it is also highly unethical to fire the very same person investigating him,” the senator said.

READ: Malacañang fires Deputy Ombudsman Carandang

The OP, in its dismissal order against Carandang, said: “he was clearly only interested to broadcast an information adverse to the President.”

“His keeping mum about an information that was favorable to the President clearly amounted to manifest partiality,” the OP said.   /vvp