Ombudsman drops Duterte wealth probe

President’s jurisdiction.

Under the Charter, any criminal charge against an impeach cannot prosper without impeachment proceedings.

In May 2016, a plunder case by Trillanes against Duterte.

Trillanes claimed President Duterte had unexplained wealth and undeclared bank accounts.

‘Charges without merit’

On February 8, Solicitor General Calida wrote a letter to Carandang clarifying the status of the case. Ombudsman Carpio-Morales had inhibited from the case.

“A public officer must be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, and efficiency,” Calida said.

“Ombudsman Carpio-Morales, being the Ombudsman, must be the protector of the people. She has the constitutional duty to publicize matters covered by investigations when the circumstances so warrant and with due prudence,” Calida said.

Calida said that from the start against Duterte was without merit.

“This case involves the President of the Republic of the Philippines. Why are you withholding this information? When this case even conducted. Three months after the termination of the case, the public has still no knowledge that the evidence supporting the allegations of Trillanes is without merit,” he said.

“Knowing that this frivolous case was terminated by the Ombudsman, Senator Trillanes now seeks to have another Senate hearing on the matter to convince the public about his garbage junked by the Ombudsman,” Calida said. “The Senate should stop this nonsense investigation.”

Calida said he would inform President Duterte through a formal a letter regarding the junking of the charges.

‘Not yet off the hook’

Opposition lawmakers said the - nation of its probe into the bank accounts of President Duterte and his family did not clear the President of any liability.

“All investigations must be terminated. Whether the termi the complaint is true or not, that would be a different matter,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said.

“The one which carries the termination of the investigation,” Lagman added.

Magdalo party- list Rep. Gary Alejano expressed confidence Ombudsman Morales would not renege on her mandate to run after

- that the bank accounts of President Duterte [whom he has refused to disclose] are true. The Ombudsman can make a case out of that,” Alejano said.

“This does not clear the President,” Alejano added.