Panelo: Ombudsman may face raps if she defies suspension order vs. deputy

President Rodrigo Duterte's chief legal counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo on Wednesday warned that Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales could face criminal and administrative charges for defying Malacañang's order to suspend Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang.

In a statement, Panelo said that "every official act is accorded the presumption of regularity" until a competent court says otherwise.

The order of the Office of the Executive Secretay to suspend Carandang for 90 days for disclosing alleged bank transactions the First Family is "valid and legal."

"It behooves therefore the public official authorized to implement the order to enforce the same against respondent [Carandang]. Any willful refusal to do so or any deliberate act impeding such enforcement may open the said official to administrative and criminal sanctions," he said.

Panelo added that the Morales should question the decision at the proper court.

"Anyone who disagrees with the suspension [is] free to question the same before the courts. In the [meantime], the suspension should be implemented by the Office of the Ombudsman. Otherwise, its officials risk violating the same legal process that they assume to adhere to," he said.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Malacañang would wait for Carandang's response to the order before making any other move.

"It is incumbent upon Mr. Carandang to submit his answer within the required period. After the lapse of the period provided, the Office of the President shall decide on the matter," he said.

The OES issued the order on January 26. Roque said that Carandang has 10 days upon receipt to respond to the order. —NB, GMA News