Ombudsman Morales wants MRT3 cases resolved before term ends

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Wednesday assured that actions would be taken on the cases filed with her office over the alleged anomalous maintenance contract of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT3) before her terms ends in July next year.

"Oo naman, siguro aksyunan naman natin kaagad. Hindi puwedeng hintayin ang July bago mo aksyunan," Morales told reporters after giving a keynote speech at the University of Santo Tomas.

Morales is set to end her seven-year term as Ombudsman in 2018, but the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption has threatened to impeach her for her alleged "selective justice," neglect of duty, use of falsified documents, betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, and graft and corruption.

She referred to the impending impeachment complaint in addressing the MRT3 cases.

"I'm supposed to retire next year, unless I get impeached or convicted," Morales said, adding she has yet to see the complaint upon returning from a trip to Davao City.

Morales, however, declined to comment further on the impeachment threat.

"Everybody is at liberty to file any complaint against anybody, including me," she said.

Morales had earlier denied giving selective justice on cases filed before the anti-graft body.

On Tuesday, the Department of Transportation filed plunder and graft charges against several appointees of former President Benigno Aquino III, including former Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and former Interior and Local Government chief Mar Roxas. 

Militant groups also filed the same charges against Abaya and executives of Busan Universal Rail Inc. 

The case stemmed when the then-government officials, acting as members of the Government Procurement and Policy Board, approved the  procurement of goods and services from BURI for the maintenance, general overhaul of light rail vehicles, and the replacement of the MRT3's signaling system.

The government terminated the maintenance contract of BURI on November 6. — MDM, GMA News