Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales says President Duterte should have no reason to fear if he’s not concealing anything, adding this: ‘Sorry, Mr. President, but this Office shall not be intimidated.’
MANILA, Philippines — Conchita Carpio-Morales on Friday told President Rodrigo Duterte that her agency won’t be cowed by his threat that he would create and head a commission to investigate the allegedly “corrupt” and “biased” Office of the Ombudsman.
Ombudsman Morales, who was appointed by former President Benigno Aquino III and is related to Duterte by affinity, said her office would push through with its investigation into the alleged hidden wealth of the current chief executive and his family.
READ RELATED STORY: Duterte to set up commission to probe ‘corrupt, biased’ Office of the Ombudsman
She also said Duterte should have no reason to fear if he’s not concealing anything.
“Sorry, Mr. President, but this Office shall not be intimidated,” Morales said.
The Ombudsman said “it appears” that Duterte’s announcement that he would look into alleged anomalies at the agency had something “to do with this Office’s on-going investigation into issues that involve him.”
“This Office, nonetheless, shall proceed with the probe, as mandated by the Constitution,” added Morales.
Also, the Ombudsman said she was welcoming Duterte’s announcement that he would investigate her office.
“This Office, all the same, welcomes, as it has always welcomed, efforts to help it cleanse it ranks.”
“Its Internal Affairs Board has, in fact, entrapped and removed Ombudsman officials and employees for various offenses,” Morales said.
“If the President has nothing to hide, he has nothing to fear,” she added.
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