Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said they are conducting fact-finding investigations on Senator Leila De Lima, as well as President Rodrigo Duterte.
De Lima is facing allegations of receiving money from big time drug trader Kerwin Espinosa, which she has denied.
“There is a pending case filed before the Deputy Ombudsman of the Visayas and that is against De Lima and there was a case filed against us so we are conducting fact-finding. Because there have been some leads so we gave it due course by conducting fact-finding,” Morales said.
Morales also said her office continues to gather facts on a plunder complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte.
That complaint was filed by Senator Antonio Trillanes back in May, accusing Duterte of maintaining ghost employees at the Davao City Hall while he was still mayor.
The complaint is based on a 2015 Commission on Audit report. Duterte has repeatedly denied the allegation.
Morales explains, under the law, the Ombudsman has the authority to investigate individuals regardless if they have immunity.
“For purposes of determining whether there is misconduct, which can be a basis of impeachment if it amounts to the grounds of impeachment under the constitution. Everything is possible; we don’t discount any possibility that you spare him or indict him,” she said.
Morales herself had inhibited in the case against Duterte, noting she is an aunt-in-law of the president’s daughter, Sara Duterte.
The Office of the Ombudsman is also investigating the killing of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa after a supposed shootout. Espinosa’s killing is now the subject of several investigations, including one at the Senate, over the possibility it was a case of extra-judicial killing.
Morales also said that while their mandate only covers public officials involved in alleged extra-judicial killings, other incidents involving private individuals may also be looked into as they probe Espinosa’s death.
