In the midst of allegations of corruption being investigated by Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) Commissioner Manuelito Luna against Department of Labor and Employment Silvestre Bello III, former Bureau of Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña and National Commission on Indigenous People Chairman Leonor Oralde-Quintayo, Ombudsman Samuel Martires when asked by The Philippine Business and News on his reaction regarding the investigation by PACC clarified that the ongoing investigation does not bind the Office of the Ombudsman.
Ombudsman Martires gave his usual straightforward reaction to THEPHILBIZNEWS on the allegations of corruption being investigated by PACC against three of Duterte’s cabinet members.
“There will no trial by publicity. The PACC’s investigation does not bind the Office of the Ombudsman and all accusations are still subject to our own verification and investigation”, the Ombudsman said.
In closing, the Martires said, “But I will issue official statement regarding this issue.”
Meanwhile, Bello said he will ask President Rodrigo Duterte to dismiss Luna for abuse of authority for making public an investigation against him and two other Cabinet officials.
The beleaguered Labor Secretary, pointed out that under the Executive Order that created PACC, the commission should pursue its investigations in a discreet manner in fairness to the respondents.
“I did not receive a complaint. I did not receive a notice from PACC, I can face the complaints if I am aware of such, but I only learned about it in newspapers”, the Labor Chief said.
