Ombudsman vows probe on DAP transactions

MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales announced on Wednesday that she will form a panel of field investigators to look into the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) transactions to see if any crime or offense has been committed by involved public officials.

"In light of the Supreme Court's Decision on the DAP case, we are initiating an investigation into the matter," Morales said in a statement.

Under Republic Act 6770, or the Ombudsman Act of 1989, the Ombudsman may, motu proprio (on its own) or even without a lodged complaint, initiate an investigation on “any act or omission of any public officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust, improper or inefficient.”

The law also grants the Ombudsman the power to investigate any serious misconduct in office allegedly committed by impeachable officers, but only for the purpose of filing a verified complaint for impeachment, if warranted.