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Ombudsman Morales: ‘I will not be baited into abandoning my constitutional duties’


Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Tuesday stood her ground against President Rodrigo Duterte who on Monday renewed his call for her to resign.

"I will not be baited into abandoning my constitutional duties," Morales said in a statement sent to media.

"If the President has charges against me, I am prepared to answer them in accordance with existing laws. I expect him to answer the charges against him in the same manner," she added.

"As public officials we have sworn to uphold the rule of law. We should as well, serve with honor, honesty and decency," Morales said.

Duterte on Monday accused Morales of illegally obtaining his bank records.

“Mag-resign muna si Carpio because she’s corrupt at humahawak ng ebidensiya na kinuha nila na walang permiso sa AMLC [Anti-Money Laundering Council], illegally obtained,” Duterte said in Marawi City for the inauguration of Bahay Pag-asa.

The Office of the Ombudsman is conducting an investigation into the wealth of the Duterte family after Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a complaint that they have hidden wealth worth billions of pesos.

Duterte also threatened to probe the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged partiality and corruption. He said he would set up a commission that would investigate the office and its personnel.

However, a former magistrate of the Supreme Court on Monday said Duterte's threat to probe the Office of the Ombudsman is unconstitutional.

"That office is independent and the President's power of investigation, administrative investigation into any wrongdoing in an office extends to those departments, bureaus and offices under the executive department," said retired Justice Vicente Mendoza. —KG, GMA News

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