Palace insists on enforcement of Carandang suspension

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte is bent on implementing the suspension of Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang, Malacañang said on Thursday as it denied that there is an impasse over the issue.

"There is no impasse. The president is the chief implementor of the law and he will enforce the law," presidential spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing in Baguio on Thursday.

Roque insisted that Malacañang observed due process when it suspended Carandang, who was accused of illegaly disclosing information on the supposed bank accounts of Duterte and his family.

Carandang has been given ten days to respond to the suspension order. If Carandang refuses to answer the order, the executive branch would implement the decision, Roque said.

In 2014, the Supreme Court ruled that the president could not suspend the deputy ombudsman. In the ruling, which is now final and executory, the high court said the administrative authority exercised by the Office of the President over the position of deputy ombudsman was unconstitutional.

Roque insisted that it would be up to the deputy ombudsman to seek legal action on the suspension order.

Carandang can always seek a temporary restraining order from the court if he thinks Malacanang erred in suspending him, he added.