VACC to file impeach raps vs. Ombudsman next week

The  Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) plans to to file an impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Tuesday, according to a "24 Oras" report.

The VACC announced its plan to file a complaint against the Ombudsman after President Rodrigo Duterte, on Wednesday, announced that he plans to file an impeachment case against both Morales and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in relation to an attempt to oust him.

The VACC is a known ally of President Duterte.

Manuelito Luna of the VACC's legal group said three grounds for their impeachment complaint against the  Ombudsman, namely; betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and culpable violation of the Constitution.

The VACC believes that Morales allowed Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang in relation to the investigation of the alleged hidden wealth of President Duterte.

The group said Morales will be up against a consolidation of complaints gathered from several groups and personalities.

According to Luna, there were so many complaints that it took some time for the VACC to decide whether they would split them or file one case.

GMA News is in the process of getting in touch with Ombudsman Carpio-Morales, to get her statement on the issue.

Last month, the VACC cited several grounds for the complaint against the Ombudsman.

One of the grounds for impeachment is betrayal of public trust, the group said, because the Ombudsman allegedly sanctioned the filing of losing cases as a way to shield former President Benigno Aquino III from liability for the death of the SAF 44 troopers.

Morales was also accused of culpable violation of the Constitution in applying the Abandonment of the Condonation Doctrine in the case of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in utter defiance of the Supreme Court's decision in Carpio-Morales vs. Jejomar Binay Jr.

On Thursday, the House Committee on Justice found sufficient grounds for an impeachment complaint filed against Chief Justice Sereno in a 25-2 vote. — Margaret Claire Layug/BAP, GMA News