Press Release
February 1, 2018

Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon's response to media queries re: suspension of Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang

"The Supreme Court should immediately intervene. Otherwise, there could a constitutional crises as there is a conflict and a clash between two independent constitutional offices--the President and the Ombudsman. Malacañang can file a petition for mandamus with the Supreme Court to compel Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to implement the suspension of Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang if it believes that the President can suspend Carandang. Or, Ombudsman Morales and Carandang can file a petition in the Supreme Court to set aside Malacañang's suspension order, and seek a TRO, on the ground it is contrary to the SC ruling in the Gonzales case, which voided the power of the President to discipline the Deputy Ombudsman. Which interpretation is correct cannot be left to the President or the Ombudsman. The Supreme Court must rule as the final arbiter."

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