Harsh on some, soft on others, Duterte says of Ombudsman

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales INQUIRER PHOTO / NINO JESUS ORBETA

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday accused the Office of the Ombudsman of practicing selective justice and having corrupt investigators.

Mr. Duterte also said the constitutional body had dragged its feet on the pork barrel scam cases involving senators.

The President has not held back from criticizing Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, who happens to be related to him by affinity. Morales’ nephew Manases Carpio is the President’s son-in-law.

“The Office of the Ombudsman rightly stresses the importance of ‘due process of law.’ Yet it cannot act on complaints with the cold neutrality of an impartial tribunal, which is basically required in due process,” Mr. Duterte said in a speech in Malacañang.

“Harsh on some, soft on others even when they all suffer from similar or analogous circumstances. Slow to act on complaints against the friendly but quick to decide against perceived hostiles,” he added.

He also wondered why the Ombudsman could not wind up the pork barrel cases against senators.

Mr. Duterte appealed to the Ombudsman to “let justice be done.”

“It is not yet late in the day to do that. Let the remaining months of your incumbency be truly reflective of your mandate to do justice to everyone without favor or bias,” he said.