Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 10) — After Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Ombudsman Conchita Carpo-Morales may be the latest government official to face an impeachment case.
Atty. Manny Luna is set to file an impeachment complaint against the Ombudsman this week, likely on Wednesday, October 11.
Luna has released a copy of the complaint against Morales. He has accused Morales of practicing selective justice, and claims the Ombudsman only files cases against people who oppose the previous administration.
The complaint is separate from that to be filed by families of Special Action Force (SAF) 44, which is being handled by Atty. Ferdinand Topacio.
Earlier President Rodrigo Duterte said he would file impeachment cases against Sereno and Morales.
This came as he questioned their credibility and claimed they were allowing themselves to be used by people who wanted him out of office.
Duterte also accused Morales of failing to act on complaints against members of the opposition Liberal Party, and for using what he claimed were falsified documents.
READ: Impeachment proceedings vs. Sereno, Morales underway
Morales, who was at the Senate budget hearing on Monday, refused to comment on the issues.
However, on Monday, 26 Representatives signed on Monday a House Resolution expressing support for the Office of the Ombudsman’s constitutional independence.
The resolution states the framers of the Constitution intended for independent bodies like the Ombudsman to be insulated from political pressure, as the absence of independence would impair its core function.
READ: 26 solons sign resolution in support of Ombudsman independence
Last October 6, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio also said some families of the 44 (SAF) troopers who died in the Mamasapano encounter in 2015 plan to file an impeachment complaint against Morales.
This after Morales downgraded cases filed by the families from 44 counts of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide to one count of usurpation of authority and one count of graft and corruption.
