Ombudsman Morales on calls to resign after losing Arroyo case: ‘Do I have to win all cases?

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Wednesday gave a stinging reply to reported calls for her to resign following the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that ended former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's four-year detention for plunder over thte alleged misuse of state lottery funds.

Arroyo's plunder case was initiated under Morales' watch as head of the country's anti-graft body.

"Do I have to win all cases I filed? Do you have to fault the prosecutors if they lose cases? Do you have to fault the Sandiganbayan if the decision is reversed? Sagutin mo," Morales told a radio reporter at a press conference she called after the Ombudsman's defeat at the SC.

Morales added that the Office of the Ombudsman has been more successful in getting convictions against erring government officials and employees in recent years.

"Mataas naman. Relatively high as compared to previous years so we are happy. Our (batting) average as far as appellate cases is concerned, mataas taas din," Morales said, without giving figures to back up her claims.

Morales insisted that they had built a strong case against Arroyo, who allegedly facilitated the embezzlement of P366 million in confidential and intelligence funds of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office from 2008 to 2010.

The SC, however, said Arroyo has to be released from hospital detention due to insufficient evidence.

Morales said the prosecution team was disappointed with the decision and that they are looking into the possibility of filing an appeal.

The SC voted overwhelmingly in favor of Arroyo's petition with only four out of 15-man tribunal expressing their dissent. — VVP, GMA News