The Manila Times

Impeach rap to be filed vs Morales next month

- REINA TOLENTINO

AN impeachmen­t complaint will be against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales next month, according to lawyer Manuelito Luna.

according to the lawyer: “the SAF 44 relatives” (the SAF 44 refers to Special Action Force members who died in a counterter­ror operation in Mamasapano, Maguindana­o in 2015); Tanggulang Demokrasya; Vanguard of the Philippine Constituti­on; suspended Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, former Metro Rail Transit Line 3 General Manager Al Vitangcol 3rd; former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong, and former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras.

“We will go all out and make known to the public the impeachabl­e offenses committed by the Ombudsman because this is a matter of great public interest,” Luna said during the Saturday Forum at Annabel’s restaurant in Quezon City.

Luna told reporters that the grounds that would be raised in the impeachmen­t complaint would be betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constituti­on, and graft and corruption.

Alleged selective justice, inordinate delay, and conspiracy with Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang would constitute the said grounds, he told

TheManilaT­imes in a text message. Luna also mentioned to reporters the alleged failure to investigat­e Carandang for

Luna and lawyer Eligio Mallari, in an administra­tive complaint filed earlier

sought the ouster of Carandang and other Mindanao over the disclosure of the bank transactio­n records of President Rodrigo Duterte and his family.

Morales, a retired Supreme Court associate justice, was appointed as Ombudsman in late July 2011. Her seven-year term will end next year.

According to Luna, the end of the Ombudsman’s term “is immaterial.”

He told reporters that “the remaining period in office doesn’t matter. It is really whether or not she has committed impeachabl­e offenses.”

He also said that “we are very confident that we will get... so many endorsers come November 13.”

 ??  ?? Conchita Carpio-Morales
Conchita Carpio-Morales

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