Calida says Ombudsman only making an “excuse”; says results of termination of probe vs Duterte should have been publicized

(Eagle News)– Solicitor General Jose Calida on Saturday slammed Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, saying she merely made an “excuse”  when she blamed the Anti-Money Laundering Council for the anti-graft body’s termination of the probe into Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s allegations against President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to Calida, “back in October 2017, the Ombudsman publicly claimed that the documents in their possession are from the AMLC.”

“Now, the Ombudsman claims that the termination of the case is due to the AMLC’s refusal to provide a report or confirmation. Which is which?” he said.

He also belied the Ombudsman’s claim that the probe was confidential in nature.

“Now that the case is ‘closed and terminated,’ the Ombudsman kept silent…The Ombudsman has the constitutional duty to publicize this matter, as it involves the President of the Republic of the Philippines,” Calida said.

As for  Morales’ claim that she inhibited from the case, Calida said that there was “nothing more to inhibit from” since the probe had been “closed and terminated.”

“It is only when the cat is out of the bag that the Ombudsman confirmed the termination. I thought it was confidential? Why the sudden change of heart?,” he added.

On Thursday, the Ombudsman confirmed the probe stemming from Trillanes’ plunder complaint had been terminated in November last year.

The confirmation was days after Calida held a press conference to announce the termination, and to denounce the Ombudsman’s move for “keeping it secret.”

Calida only learnt about the end to the probe in February after he  sent a letter to ask about it and got a response.