‘Palace does not interfere with other branches of gov’t’

Malacañan Palace as seen from across the Pasig River. (Photo from malacanang.gov.ph)

MANILA, Philippines — “The Palace does not interfere with the other branches of the government as well as constitutional bodies.”

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said this Saturday following the decision of the Office of the Ombudsman to drop the graft and usurpation charges it had filed against former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

According to the motion to withdraw information filed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires, “no sufficient ground and evidence” were found to charge Aquino.

The cases were filed against Aquino in relation to the Jan. 25, 2015, Mamasapano operation that ended in the death of 44 members of the Special Action Force (SAF) and 18 Moro fighters. Several civilians were also killed.

READ: Ombudsman drops charges vs Aquino

Asked to comment on the withdrawal of the charges against the former president, Panelo, in a text message, said: “[Other branches of the government] have their assigned constitutional functions.”

“They should freely perform their given constitutional tasks without interference from anyone,” Panelo added.

Martires also asked the Sandiganbayan to allow the withdrawal of cases “without prejudice to the filing of appropriate charges against the accused after the conduct of preliminary investigation.”

The motion is scheduled for hearing on July 12.

(Editor: Alexander T. Magno)