Ombudsman Morales amused by Duterte tirade

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales felt amused on the tirade of President Rodrigo Duterte against her on a remark which she did not say, the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday said.

"Ombudsman Morales is amused by so much ado about something she did not say. However, she stands by her answer to the NHK [World]'s question which she says is correct," the office said in a statement.

Duterte lashed out against Morales in a speech in Malacanang on Monday, saying he would be willing to step down if Morales could point to a law barring him from threatening criminals. 

"Ayusin mo iyang Ombudsman mo. Akala mo santo kayo diyan. Do not play god and shut up. Wala ka namang batas, ibigay mo nga sa akin? Eh abugado ka. Anak ng jueteng. Ako, ordinaryo lang, 75. Pero alam ko ang batas ko, eh ikaw dumating ka pa ng Supreme Court, hindi mo pa alam iyan. Mahiya ka sa sarili mo," Duterte said.

Duterte referred to the interview of Morales with Japan's NHK World where she accused the chief executive of "goading people to kill" with his tough rhetoric against criminals.  

The statement from the Office of the Ombudsman, however, said Morales made no mention of such law and urged Duterte to review the interview instead.

"Her answer was "goading people to kill irrespective of the context is, to me, unacceptable." She did not say anything about any law against threatening criminals," the Ombudsman said. "The President should review what she said first." — RSJ/KVD, GMA News