Palace leaves Sandra Cam’s fate to Ombudsman

MANILA — Malacañang on Monday said it would be up to the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate an allegation that Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member Sandra Cam has amassed PHP500 million ill-gotten wealth.

“From what I understand, somebody has already filed a case in the Ombudsman. So that’s the Ombudsman call now,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.

Earlier, Lino Espinosa Jr. asked the Ombudsman to investigate Cam’s properties, including a resort in Barangay Pinamoghaan in San Fernando, Masbate.

Panelo said there is no need for the Palace to initiate a probe against Cam, a former jueteng whistle-blower.

“Since, it’s already with the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman has the power to suspend, I think we will let it do the process,” Panelo said.

“We will not be duplicating any investigation, considering the fact that there is now a pending case with the Ombudsman,” he added.

In an interview with radio dzMM on Monday, Cam has denied that her properties are worth PHP500 million, saying the land used for the Pinamoghaan resort was bought in 1997.

She said the newly-constructed resort will reflect on her statement of assets and liabilities (SALN) for 2019.

Cam, who was appointed President Rordrigo Duterte to the PCSO in 2017, said she is ready to be investigated by the Office of the Ombudsman.