Ombudsman to pursue probe on complaints vs. Duterte

Photo: Rody Duterte/Facebook

MANILA—The Office of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) will continue with the investigation against presumptive President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte in connection with the several complaints filed against him by Senator Antonio “Sony” Trillanes IV.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on Thursday said that they were mandated by their work to investigate any government official, who is facing either an administrative or a criminal complaint, whether with immunity or without immunity.

Because of this, Morales said, they would continue the investigation into the complaints for plunder, graft and malversation filed by Trillanes against Duterte.

Morales added that if they would found probable cause in their investigation of the alleged anomalies committed by Duterte, they would then file a complaint with the Congress for an impeachment case.

The complaints of Trillanes against Duterte stemmed when he disclosed to the public about the alleged hiring by the presumptive president of more than 11,000 contractual workers for the City of Davao in 2014 wherein the local government of Davao purportedly spent Php 708 million for the salaries and benefits of the said workers.