Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales agreed with presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte when he said that he is not bent on pursuing charges against outgoing President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President Jejomar Binay.
“He’s not a prosecutor. So he’s right,” Morales said in a briefing after leading the media launch of the Ombudsman Young Leaders Integrity Development Program on Thursday.
“He’s saying he’s not going to initiate charges against them. To begin with, he’s not a prosecutor. It’s the Office of the Ombudsman which would initiate charges,” she said.
Saying that he is not a vindictive leader, Duterte cited in an earlier interview that he does not plan to prosecute Aquino and Binay once he assumes the presidency.
READ: Duterte: Don’t expect me to prosecute Aquino, Binay
He stressed that it is the job of the anti-graft body to go after erring government officials.
Aquino is facing complaints on the alleged misuse of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) as well as charges for mishandling the Mamasapano operation that led to the killing of 66 Filipinos, including 44 elite cops.
But as the incumbent president, Aquino enjoys immunity from suit.
READ: Aquino, Cabinet ready for any suit after 2016, says spokeswoman
Meanwhile, Binay is embroiled in a slew of corruption charges involving the allegedly overpriced construction of the billions worth Makati City Hall carpark building and Makati City Science High School, among others. RAM