Paolo Duterte being investigated by Ombudsman — Morales

Even after he was cleared in the P6.4 billion shabu smuggling case, former Davao City vice mayor and presidential son Paolo Duterte is still being investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales revealed. (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

Even after he was cleared in the P6.4 billion shabu (crystal meth) smuggling case, former Davao City vice mayor and presidential son Paolo Duterte is still being investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales revealed.

In a forum on justice and integrity on Tuesday, May 8, Morales said the investigation against President Rodrigo Duterte over his alleged ill-gotten wealth has been dismissed.

“I was told that the investigation respecting his unexplained wealth has been closed and terminated. When you say closed and terminated, that is without prejudice to another investigation if warranted,” Morales said.

However, the ombudsman said that there is a “pending” probe at her office against a member of the first family.

When asked who among the Duterte family she was referring to, Morales stressed, “Sabi nila ‘yung (They said it is the) vice mayor.”

Morales denied to provide details on Paolo’s investigation and only maintained that she already inhibited herself from all cases against the Duterte family. Her nephew, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio, is the son-in-law of the President.

“They are no longer referring any action papers, any orders, anything. Alam na nila na (They know that) as far as they are concerned, hindi na ako mag– (I will not) participate. Even when the President was a mayor, nag-inhibit na ako (I already inhibited), in writing,” she explained.

According to the list obtained by reporters, as of January 12 this year, there are five cases docketed under Paolo’s name which are perjury, forfeiture, graft, violation of the code of conduct and ethical standards, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service, grave misconduct, and serious dishonesty.

Among these five docketed cases, two cases are criminal, two are administrative, and one forfeiture case or the ill-gotten wealth case.

Paolo resigned last December 25, citing problems with his family and the maligning of his reputation in the name-dropping incident in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) smuggling case. The Office of the Ombudsman’s special fact-finding team on May 2 dropped Paolo and Carpio from this case due to lack of basis.