Akbayan awards Ombudsman Morales with ‘People’s Medal of Valor’

 Several members of the Akbayan party-list trooped to the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday to bestow a "People's Medal of Valor" to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales for launching investigations on supposed government abuses and the alleged undisclosed wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"In a time where people cower in fear to the president's threats, Ombudsman Morales has shown that she will do her duty without fear or favor," Akbayan secretary general Kit Melgar said.

Melgar also lauded Morales for her bravery "despite a climate of fear," urging other government officials to follow her example.

"The Ombudsman is protecting the people from an administration that's killing our democracy. We call for more government leaders like her, ready to defend the people," he said.


Neither Morales nor her subordinates, however, came forward to accept the recognition of the group, who held a short program at the gates of the anti-graft body’s main office in Quezon City.

Akbayan communications officer Justine Balane said the award comes after the attacks of Duterte to Morales following her approval to start the probe on the First Family's alleged ill-gotten wealth.

Duterte had accused Morales of "illegally" obtaining his bank records and without the permission of the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

He also dared Morales to resign with him while reiterating his earlier accusation of selective justice against the former Supreme Court magistrate.

In response, Morales stood her ground and said she "will not be baited into abandoning my constitutional duties."

"If the President has charges against me, I am prepared to answer them in accordance with existing laws. I expect him to answer the charges against him in the same manner," Morales said in a statement.

Melgar and Akbayan communications officer Justine Balane defended Morales, saying Duterte should not criticize the Ombudsman since the President himself said he hates corruption in the government.

"The Ombudsman is just doing her job. Why crucify her for that?" Melgar said. "If the President claims to hate corruption, he shouldn't be hostile when the Ombudsman does what the laws require her to do when there's a whiff of corruption. No one is above the law, especially not an abusive President."

"We are saying that the Office of the Ombudsman ay ginagawa lang niya ang trabaho niya ng matapang. Kung si President Duterte ay sinasabi na he hates corruption, hindi siya dapat ma-threaten sa Ombudsman," Balane said.

Balane said Duterte's remarks seemed to be an effort to quell the opposition of his administration.
He added that any criticism against his governance are just part of a healthy democracy, saying "we are not enemies of the state. We urge the president to allow democracy and allow criticism to continue."