Malacañang: Office of the Ombudsman should not be part of the demolition job vs President Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the ombudsman seems to be showing its political color and siding with the opposition against President Rodrigo Duterte.

“The Office of the Ombudsman is showing its true political color. We must remind them that it is an independent and anti-graft body that is supposed to conduct an impartial and fair investigation,” said Abella.

Malacañang said the Ombudsman should be impartial in all of its actions.

The Palace appealed to the Ombudsman not to be part of the demolition job against the Duterte administration.

“It should not play into the hands of those who cannot accept the fact that the president won in the 2016 election. It should not party to a demolition job. We have seen this before. This is déjà vu,” said the presidential spokesperson.

Meanwhile, some Liberal Party senators expressed concern over the attacks and warnings that the Duterte administration is blowing against some government institutions.

Senator Bam Aquino said the government should not be threatening but instead be supportive of its agencies.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan, meanwhile, urged the president to just help in the investigation of the ombudsman.

Meanwhile, Ombudsman Morales said she will not be baited into abandoning her constitutional duties.

She also said she is willing to answer the charges against her in accordance with the law and expects the president to do the same.