Ombudsman blows top, dares critics they can have her job

IN A RARE public outburst, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales said yesterday she would give up her post “on a silver platter” if her critics can prove that her decision to suspend Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay Jr. was politically motivated.

In a news conference, Morales bristled when asked if she was influenced by the administration Liberal Party in suspending Binay and dismissing former Philippine National Police Director General Alan Purisima from the service.

“Tell me if I have abused my authority. Tell me if I have appeared vindictive. I’ve always decided cases in accordance with the law and evidence,” Morales said.

“We go by the evidence. You cannot be pressured. Otherwise, I have no reason for being here if I allow myself to be pressured by anyone. That is not true,” the former Supreme Court justice added.

Morales said her order to dismiss Purisima, a close friend of the President, and 10 other PNP officers for an irregular courier service contract should show that she was not singling out those in the opposition.

“That’s the best argument against selective justice,” she said. “If it’s true that allies of the President are not charged, then I should have spared Purisima and sat on his case. But the investigation is finished so what do I do? Wait till doomsday?”

She said her second suspension order against Mayor Binay came after the Vice President resigned from the Cabinet was a “coincidence.”

“The Ombudsman never did anything right,” she suddenly burst out. “You always question me. So if you feel that I am impeachable because I have done wrong, do so. I welcome it. I don’t have to be impeached. I will give my position on a silver platter. I’m really angry,” she continued.

“Every time I file a case you say it’s politically motivated. I am apolitical. I do not take sides,” Morales said.

When she faced the media shortly before noon, Morales said she did not know that Mayor Binay had left Makati City Hall. She said it was unfortunate that Binay decided to leave “after the violence, uprising, intimidation and coercion,” referring to scuffles between the police and his supporters on Monday night.

She brushed off the Binay camp’s allegation that she was persistent to get him out of office since she issued a second suspension order before the Supreme Court could resolve whether the Court of Appeals acted accordingly when it issued a temporary restraining order on the first suspension order Morales issued on March 11.

“Who is putting pressure on them? What am I trying to achieve? Did they specify?” Morales countered, saying the suspension orders covered two different cases.

On March 11, she ordered a six-month preventive suspension against Binay and other city officials while they are under investigation for a possible graft case for alleged irregularities in the Makati City Hall carpark construction project.

On Monday, the Ombudsman slapped a second six-month preventive suspension on Binay and 14 city officials for irregularities in the construction of the Makati Science High School building.