Palace suspends Ombudsman’s special prosecutor

Special Prosecutor Wendell Sulit. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) Malacañang has placed Ombudsman Special Prosecutor Wendell Sulit on preventive suspension for 90 days after she was formally charged with graft and betrayal of public trust in connection with the plea bargaining deal she accorded former Armed Forces comptroller Carlos Garcia in his plunder trial.

“Pending investigation of said charges, respondent (Sulit) is hereby placed under preventive suspension for a period of 90 days, effective upon receipt hereof, considering the seriousness of the charges, the existence of prima facie case against respondent that she is probably guilty thereof which warrants her removal from the service and respondent’s continuance in the office may pose threat to the safety and integrity of the record and other evidence,” the Palace order said.

Sulit was given 10 days within which to submit her answer to the formal charge before the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs.

Meanwhile, acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro immediately implemented the 90-day preventive suspension imposed by the Office of the President against Sulit.

The Implementation Order issued by Casimiro directed Sulit to “cease and desist from performing official and administrative functions at the Office of the Special Prosecutor.” With Tetch Torres, INQUIRER.net