No endorsers for impeach rap against Ombudsman

The pro-Duterte Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) on Wednesday submitted an impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales, but without an endorsement by any lawmaker.

VACC legal counsel Manuelito Luna proclaimed it as a “Christmas gift for the people.” But his colleague, former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras, later conceded that the endorsement could just follow “until this Congress is existing.”

“We have waited for the filing of this and we would not have filed it if we were not assured of endorsers,” Paras told reporters after submitting the unendorsed complaint to the office of House of Representatives Secretary General Cesar Pareja.

Sought for comment, Morales said: “Until I get hold of a copy of the complaint I have nothing to say.’’

In the 94-page complaint, Morales was accused of betrayal of public trust and unlawful disclosure of information on the Office of the Ombudsman’s investigation into President Duterte’s alleged ill-gotten wealth.

Another ground concerned the dismissal of a case against Dino Salceda, whose lawyer Lucas Carpio is Morales’ brother.