(Eagle News) – Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday, May 9, welcomed the Ombudsman’s statement resigned Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte was the subject of its preliminary investigation, saying it was part of the anti-graft agency’s “constitutional mandate” to conduct such inquiries of public officials.
“The scope of the Ombudsman’s powers is to investigate, to inquire into and to demand the production of documents involving transactions and contracts of the government where there is disbursement of public funds,” Roque said.
According to Roque, the Ombudsman can do this “on its own.”
“We see this as part of the Ombudsman’s constitutional mandate to ensure public accountability,” he added.
On Tuesday, May 8, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said there was a “pending probe” against a member of the presidential family.
When pressed, she confirmed it was the former Davao vice mayor.
Morales did not provide any other details about the supposed probe, but a list obtained by reporters from the Ombudsman showed there were five cases docketed under the name of the younger Duterte.
These included charges for forfeiture, perjury, conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, graft, and for violation of the code of conduct for public officials.
There were no details in the list dated January 18, 2018, however, about where the charges came from.
Morales has said she has inhibited from all cases against any member of the presidential family, since her nephew, Manases Carpio, is the President’s son-in-law.
Last year, the younger Duterte resigned after his name–and that of Carpio, among others–was dragged in the P6.4-billion shabu shipment mess.
He, however, denied any wrongdoing, saying he was stepping down out of “delicadeza.”
An Ombudsman panel dismissed the allegations hurled against the former vice mayor and Carpio for “lack of basis” in May.
