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[av_heading heading=’SC intervention in Malacañang-Ombudsman dispute mulled’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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February 3, 2018
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MANILA – The Supreme Court should step in to resolve the conflict between Malacañang and the Office of the Ombudsman to avert a possible constitutional crisis, said Sen. Francis Escudero.
On Monday, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea ordered the 90-day suspension of Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang for his alleged disclosure of President Rodrigo Duterte’s and his family’s bank transactions.
But Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales refused to implement the order saying the move of Malacañang was an “impairment of the constitutionally enshrined independence of the Office of the Ombudsman.”
“The SC, as the final arbiter of all questions of law, has the power to decide between the competing interests or interpretations of the government and an independent constitutional body,” said Escudero.
Given by the Palace 10 days to explain why he should not be suspended, Carandang was accused of grave misconduct, grave dishonesty for “misuse of confidential information and disclosing false information.”
Morales, on the other hand, cited a Supreme Court ruling where the administrative disciplinary jurisdiction of the President over Ombudsman officials was declared unconstitutional.
Escudero said the Office of the Solicitor General can file a petition for mandamus/certiorary before the Supreme Court.
The Ombudsman, on one hand, can bring the matter via an injunction/certiorari, the senator added.
“This is the legal, peaceful and best course of action on the part of either or both the government and the Ombudsman instead of sending the police to serve and effect the suspension order,” said Escudero./PN
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