Palace affirms dismissal orders vs deputy ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the President (OP) has affirmed its dismissal order against Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang for disclosing alleged bank transactions of President Duterte and his family without the authority of the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra revealed yesterday that the OP has rejected the appeal filed by Carandang on its dismissal order issued last year.

“The (motion for reconsideration or MR) of Carandang has been denied. (Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea) signed the order,” he told reporters in a text message.

Carandang was also found to have violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees on disclosure and/or misuse of confidential information “to give undue advantage to (Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV).”

“The transgressions of respondent Carandang constitute graft and corruption, as well as betrayal of public trust, which gravely affect his fitness to remain in public office,” the decision read.

Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner Manuelito Luna, who was one of those who filed the administrative complaints against Carandang in October 2017,  welcomed the Palace’s ruling.

“I am elated that justice was served with the nixing of Overall Deputy Ombudsman Carandang’s MR, thereby dooming his chance for a reversal of the order in the administrative realm,” he said in a text message.

But Luna said he believed that Carandang is expected to bring the case to the Supreme Court (SC), which ruled in the 2014 case of former deputy ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III that the OP has no power to discipline the deputy ombudsman.

“We expect that he shall contest the ruling with the SC or the Court of Appeals, depending on the kind of remedy he shall avail,” the official stressed.

Malacañang had ordered the dismissal of Carandang last year with the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, barring him from taking civil service examinations and perpetual disqualification from holding public office. – With Alexis Romero