Palace: Ombudsman investigating plunder case of Aquino allies
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines –Malacañang said on Wednesday that another plunder case, involving administration allies, is also being investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman.
“Nakahain na po ‘yung tinutukoy ninyong kaso sa Tanggapan ng Ombudsman. Kung maaalala ninyo, dalawang kaso na ‘yung naihain patungkol sa PDAF at merong isang kaso tungkol sa Malampaya funds, at ang dalawang kasong binanggit ay nasa pangangasiwa na ngayon ng Office of the Ombudsman,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma told media in a Palace press briefing.
(The case you are referring to has been filed before the Office of the Ombudsman. If you recall, there are two cases on the Priority Development Assistance Fund and another case on the Malampaya funds, the two cases mentioned are now with the Office of the Ombudsman.)
However, he said it is again up to the Ombudsman and not the President to push through with the case.
“Kinikilala po natin ang pagiging independyenteng body ng Ombudsman na naaayon sa ating Konstitusyon,” he said.
Article continues after this advertisement(Let us recognize the Ombudsman as an independent body in accordance to the Philippine Constitution.)
Article continues after this advertisementColoma was reacting to criticisms from some lawmakers indicted for plunder that they are being singled out by the Aquino administration.
The Ombudsman on Tuesday indicted Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada for plunder because of their alleged misuse of the PDAF.
It was the first of the two cases filed before the Ombudsman involving the pork barrel scam.
The second one, naming 34 respondents, was filed on November 29 last year. Among those facing corruption and malversation charges were former Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, former Ilocos Sur 1st District Rep. Salacnib Baterina, former 1st District of Davao Del Sur Rep. Douglas Cagas and Marc Douglas Cagas IV, former Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Arrel Olano, former South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Arthur Pingoy Jr., former 1st District of Oriental Mindoro Rodolfo Valencia, and former 2nd District of Pampanga Representative Zenaida Cruz-Ducut.
Both Biazon and Ducut are close administration allies.
However, Malacañang is now distancing itself from the probe.
“Ginampanan na po ng sangay ng ehekutibo ang nararapat patungkol doon sa mga naunang kaso. Kaya kapag ‘yun pong kasong ‘yon ay nasa pangangasiwa na ng Ombudsman, at sa susunod na mga hakbang sa Sandiganbayan, malinaw naman na nasa labas na ito ng sakop ng ehekutibo,” Coloma said.
(The Executive branch already did what was needed to be done for the first case. When the case is filed before the Ombudsman, and later with the Sandiganbayan, it is clear that it is beyond the jurisdiction of the Executive.)
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