Trillanes: Dismissal of Carandang illegal, unethical

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV  on Thursday described as "illegal, unconstitutional, and unethical" the dismissal of Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang from service.

Trillanes in a statement said, "I strongly condemn Duterte’s dismissal of ODO Carandang. 

"Not only is this illegal and unconstitutional since the Office of Ombudsman is an autonomous constitutional body, it is also highly unethical to fire the very same person investigating him."  

A Malacañang decision, dated July 30 and signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, stated that Carandang was found liable for graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust. 

The case stemmed from Carandang's releasing to media information that President Rodrigo Duterte and his family could have billions of pesos in the bank.

Carandang was even accused by a complainant of trying to destabilize the administration and siding with Trillanes, who had asked the Ombudsman to look into the alleged ill-gotten wealth of the Dutertes.

Trillanes said up to now, Duterte cannot face the allegation about his hidden wealth amounting to billions of pesos of deposits "so, he is resorting to cover-up and harassment tactics."

The senator has repeatedly asked Duterte to sign a waiver to allow authorities to examine his bank accounts. —LBG, GMA News