Suspension of Deputy Ombudsman Carandang unconstitutional —Ombudsman Morales

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales finally broke her silence on Wednesday on the suspension of Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang, saying she won't enforce the disciplinary action because it was unconstitutional and posed a threat to the anti-graft body's independence.

Citing a Supreme Court ruling in 2014, Morales said previous suspensions issued by the Office of the President against deputy ombudsmen have been deemed unconstitutional.

"The Supreme Court categorically declared unconstitutional the administrative disciplinary jurisdiction of the President over deputy ombudsmen," Morales said in a statement.

"The Ombudsman cannot, therefore, seriously place at risk the independence of the very Office which she has pledged to protect on the strength of the constitutional guarantees which the High Court has upheld," she added.

Asked for a categorical answer if she would execute the Palace's suspension order, Morales said, "Not enforce."

Malacañang on Monday said Carandang has been charged and put under preventive suspension for 90 days.

The suspension came following complaints separately filed last year by lawyers Manuelito Luna and Eligio Mallari and former lawmakers Glenn Chiong and Jacinto Paras.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque in a briefing said that the Office of the Executive Secretary has formally charged Carandang with grave misconduct and grave dishonesty for the unauthorized disclosures of the alleged bank transactions of President Rodrigo Duterte and his family.

"The recent spate of events poses a great cause for concern. With the institutional significance and national interest involved, the Ombudsman is constrained to now state her position on the matter," Morales said.

"The Ombudsman will thus not allow herself to betray her sworn duty to uphold the Constitution by recognizing what is patently unconstitutional as ordained by the Supreme Court," she added. — MDM/NB, GMA News