Tag: Ombudsman

SC affirms Ombudsman ruling clearing Enrile, other PNB directors of graft over P108-M behest loan grant

(Eagle News) — The Supreme Court has affirmed an Ombudsman ruling clearing personalities connected to the late president Ferdinand Marcos, including former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, and several others of graft over an alleged P108-million behest loan granted to a sugar milling company by the Philippine National Bank in 1968. The SC, in a 15-page decision, affirmed a 2006 ruling of the Ombudsman that had junked the graft complaints filed by the Presidential Commission on […]

Ex-Makati mayor Junjun Binay perpetually disqualified from public office in Court of Appeals ruling

(Eagle News) – Upholding the earlier decision of the Office of the Ombudsman, the Commission on Appointment (CA) perpetually disqualified from public office former Makati mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr., after finding him guilty for irregularities regarding the Makati Science High School (MSHS) building construction. In a ruling dated May 28, 2019, the CA affirmed with modifications the Ombudsman’s July 10, 2017 joint decision and the December 8, 2017 joint order. The CA found […]

CA upholds ruling reversing Junjun Binay’s dismissal from gov’t service

(Eagle News) — The Court of Appeals has upheld its previous ruling that reversed the dismissal from government service of former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay for the allegedly anomalous construction of the P2.2-billion Makati City Hall Parking Building II. In denying the the appeal of the Ombudsman, which ordered Binay dismissed from government service in 2015, of its May 2018 ruling, the former 10th division reiterated the condonation doctrine which says that a “public official […]

Ombudsman Martires says judgment of acquittal cannot be appealed

(Eagle News) — It appears the prosecution will no longer appeal the Sandiganbayan’s acquittal of former Senator Bong Revilla for plunder. Ombudsman Samuel Martires himself said “it is an elementary doctrine in law that you cannot appeal a judgment of acquittal.” “It is not just a policy,” Martires said, noting that the “doctrine” has “its roots in Roman law that an ‘issue once decided cannot be tried again’.” It “is based on double jeopardy or the […]

Palace to defer to Ombudsman decision on Mocha Uson’s fate

(Eagle News) — The Palace on Thursday, Sept. 20, said it will defer to the Ombudsman decision on the fate of Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson for the controversial sign language video she filmed. “Igagalang po ng Palasyo ang proseso. Kapag sinabi ng Ombudsman sibakin hindi po natin tututulan,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press conference. Apart from Uson, blogger Andrew Olivar is facing a complaint for alleged violation of the Code of Conduct […]

Samuel Martires takes his oath as new Ombudsman

(Eagle News) — Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires on Monday, August 6 took his oath as the new Ombudsman. Martires took his oath before Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio at the Supreme Court’s session hall. His wife, and his former colleagues at Supreme Court — justices and court staff — witnessed his oath taking. Martires succeeded Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales who retired last July 26. After his oath taking, Martires said his main priorities […]

Office of the President sacks Deputy Ombudsman Carandang

(Eagle News)– The Office of the President has fired Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang. In its dismissal order signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, the OP said Carandang was guilty of graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust, but dismissed the charges against Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Rodolfo Elman and members of the Ombudsman-Mindanao fact-finding team were dismissed for “lack of substantial evidence.” In finding Carandang guilty, the OP noted that in September 2017, Carandang […]

PNP: Suspect in pregnant prosecutor’s slay killed during attempt to grab policeman’s gun

(Eagle News)–The suspect in the killing of an Ombudsman prosecutor was killed on Saturday, July 28, while he allegedly tried to grab the gun of a police officer in Camp Crame. Angelito Avenido Jr., who was charged with the murder of Ombudsman Assistant Special Prosecutor Madonna Joy Tanyag, who was pregnant at that time, allegedly made the attempt while inside the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit in Camp Karingal, Quezon City,  after a mugshot was taken […]

Associate Justice Martires is new Ombudsman

(Eagle News)—President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed a new Ombudsman. The President said on Thursday, July 26, that he has signed the appointment papers of Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires, who succeeded Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales who retired on the same day. “He is bright and he is a fair man,” the President said. The President also refused to give Martires any marching order, noting that the former SC associate justice  “belong(ed) to a different […]

Ombudsman indicts Napoles, others over alleged irregularities in procurement of fertilizers in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte

(Eagle News) — The Office of the Ombudsman has indicted Janet Lim Napoles for alleged irregularities in the procurement of fertilizers in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte in 2004. Also charged for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds were  Department of Agriculture’s Assistant Regional Director Edgardo Dahino, Chief Administrative Officer Jessica Da-an, Administrative Officer Merylinda Santos, and Accountant III Gerry Leop, an Ombudsman statement posted on the anti-graft body’s website […]

Martires, Ramirez, Sandoval in JBC shortlist for next Ombudsman; Bello disqualified

By Moira Encina Eagle News Service The Judicial and Bar Council has come up with its shortlist of nominees to replace Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, whose term is set to expire on July 26. Included in the shortlist were  Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires, retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval, and private law practitioner  Felito Ramirez. Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III was disqualified. Only recently, Kilusang Pagbabago National Movement for Change secretary-general Monalie Dizon filed a graft […]

SC unanimously endorses Associate Justice Martires for Ombudsman post

(Eagle News) — The Supreme Court unanimously endorsed the appointment of Associate Justice Samuel Martires to the post of Ombudsman, a media briefer said on Tuesday, July 17. The briefer said Martires obtained 11 votes of the  12 justices who were present. Martires did not take part in the voting, while Associate Justices Alfredo Caguioa and Estela Perlas-Bernabe were not present. Only three applicants to the Ombudsman post received votes from the SC. Apart from […]