Duterte to create fact-finding body to probe Ombudsman

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said
he will form a fact-finding body that will probe the possible anomalies
at the Office of the Ombudsman.

Duterte made the announcement in a recorded interview with broadcaster
Erwin Tulfo aired on state-run PTV4 on Thursday evening, September 28.

Ombudsman has launched a fact-finding investigation into the ill-gotten
wealth allegations hurled against the Duterte stemming from the
complaint filed by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of the
 President.

Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang on Wednesday said that the
documents submitted to them by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC)
on the bank accounts of the President are "more or less" the same as the
 ones Trillanes exposed to the public.

But Duterte was unfazed by the probe, as he warned the Ombudsman that he
 will dig into the alleged money making activities at the anti-graft
body.

"You'll be investigated also. One of these days, I will run after you,"
Duterte said. "Do not fool me. Do not force my hands into it. I will set
 up a commission to investigate the Ombudsman, institution itself."

The President said that the Ombudsman was soliciting money from
individuals under investigation to dismiss the cases lodged against
them.

He also revealed that he was also a victim of Ombudsman's alleged
extortion when he was still the mayor of Davao City. He, however, did
not mention the particular case filed against him before the Office of
the Ombudsman.

"The Ombudsman would say there's no corruption. To Filipinos, ask the
military police, mayors, governors, who faced cases before [the
Ombudsman], how much money they gave. There's a bribe. Son of a… After
giving money, the case was dismissed," he said.

"When I was a mayor, they asked for money. I declined. I said, just
file. Then the case was submitted to the Supreme Court and filed by the
Ombudsman. You made me spend money only to resolve [the case, for its]
dismissal," he added.

The Chief Executive also revived his allegation that the Ombudsman was
administering "selective justice" to favor the opposition Liberal Party.

He warned that there would be a "scuffle," if the Ombudsman continues to
 perform illicit activities.

"If you do not investigate yourself, I will set up a commission to
investigate you as a President has investigating powers. There will be a
 scuffle because who would investigate your irregularities?" Duterte
said.

"What is the remedy of the Filipino if you keep on extorting money? Do
not fool me. Do not force my hands into it," he added.