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Content about Ombudsman

November 23, 2011
Ombudsman OKs graft raps vs Mike Arroyo over choppers deal

MANILA, Philippines (Nov 23, 2011) – Finding probable cause, a  fact-finding panel of the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of graft charges against former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo for involvement in the allegedly anomalous second-hand choppers purchase by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009.

The panel said Mike Arroyo has liability for "undue injury to the government" and "for entering into a contract grossly disadvantageous to government."

MANILA, Philippines (Nov 23, 2011) – Finding probable cause, a  fact-finding panel of the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of graft charges against former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo for involvement in the allegedly anomalous second-hand choppers purchase by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009.

The panel said Mike Arroyo has liability for "undue injury to the government" and "for entering into a contract grossly disadvantageous to government."

MANILA, Philippines (Nov 23, 2011) – Finding probable cause, a  fact-finding panel of the Office of the Ombudsman has recommended the filing of graft charges against former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo for involvement in the allegedly anomalous second-hand choppers purchase by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in 2009.

The panel said Mike Arroyo has liability for "undue injury to the government" and "for entering into a contract grossly disadvantageous to government."

July 28, 2011
Camarines Sur remembers Conchita Carpio-Morales

A relatively obscure item in her resume' is that she started her career in the judiciary right here in Bikol. Between 1983 to 1986, Conchita Carpio-Morales was the trial court judge of Pili Camarines Sur. Here are some impressions of Conchita Carpio-Morales given by some local legal personalities.

Conchita Carpio-Morales, the newly appointed Ombudsman, was born on June 19, 1941 in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

She earned both her Bachelor's degree in Economics and Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines.

Right after her graduation from the UP College of Law in 1968, she started her law career in a private Manila law firm as Assistant Attorney.

In 1971, her former law professor and then Justice Secretary Vicente Abad Santos took her as a Special Assistant at the Department of Justice - thus starting an illustrious career in government service.

July 26, 2011
Conchita Carpio-Morales is new Ombudsman

MANILA Philippines (July 26, 2011) - President Benigno C. Aquino III decided that his State of the Nation Address (SONA) was the opportune time to announce his choice for the new Ombudsman.

MANILA Philippines (July 26, 2011) - President Benigno C. Aquino III decided that his State of the Nation Address (SONA) was the opportune time to announce his choice for the new Ombudsman.

Midway through his speech, the President revealed a newly discovered anomaly at the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) involving questionable expenditure for coffee served to PAGCOR's customers in its 12 branches during the past administration amounting to 1 billion pesos.

July 14, 2011
Ombudsman moves to investigate Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines (July 14, 2011) - The wheels of justice starts to grind for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as the Office of Ombudsman ordered yesterday the start of the investigation of her assault on a court sheriff.

MANILA, Philippines (July 14, 2011) - The wheels of justice starts to grind for Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as the Office of Ombudsman ordered yesterday the start of the investigation of her assault on a court sheriff.

Deputy Ombudsman of Mindanao Humphrey Monteroso was assigned to investigate the direct assault charges that the Sheriffs Confederation of the Philippines (SCOPHIL) filed against Duterte.

SCOPHIL took the cudgels for sheriff Abe Andres of the Davao City Regional Trial Court who expressed no desire to sue the mayor and even apologized to her.

July 5, 2011
Plunder case filed vs fertilizer scam 'architect' et al

MANILA, Philippines (July 5, 2011) – The Office of the Ombudsman has formally filed with the Sandiganbayan plunder charges against the 'architect' of the P728 million fertilizer fund scam, former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante, along with his former boss, a former colleague and several private respondents.

MANILA, Philippines (July 5, 2011) – The Office of the Ombudsman has formally filed with the Sandiganbayan plunder charges against the 'architect' of the P728 million fertilizer fund scam, former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante, along with his former boss, a former colleague and several private respondents.

July 4, 2011
JBC shortlists 4 nominees for Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines – The Judicial Bar Council (JBC) has released the short list of four nominees, including former Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, for the position of Ombudsman.

MANILA, Philippines – The Judicial Bar Council (JBC) has released the short list of four nominees, including former Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, for the position of Ombudsman.

JBC ex-oficio member Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., chairman of the House Justice Committee, said that aside from Morales, former Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero Jr., Justice Undersecretary Leah Armamento and Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) associate commissioner Gerard Mosquera are also listed.

July 4, 2011
Ombudsman probes Arroyo on fertilizer scam

MANILA Philippines (July 4, 2011) - Former President now Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is not yet off the hook after all, as the Office of the Ombudsman orders a probe on her involvement in the P728 million fertilizer scam.

MANILA Philippines (July 4, 2011) - Former President now Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is not yet off the hook after all, as the Office of the Ombudsman orders a probe on her involvement in the P728 million fertilizer scam.

Earlier, Malacañang issued a statement that Former agriculture secretary Luis Lorenzo and former undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante should be charged with plunder for their involvement as architects of the scam.

June 15, 2011
Payback time for prosecutor in Garcia plea deal

MANILA, Philippines (June 15 2011) - Malacañang has suspended a female government prosecutor after she was formally charged with graft and betrayal of public trust for his involvement in the controversial plea bargaining agreement between the Office of the Ombudsman and retired military comptroller Carlos F. Garcia.

MANILA, Philippines (June 15 2011) - Malacañang has suspended a female government prosecutor after she was formally charged with graft and betrayal of public trust for his involvement in the controversial plea bargaining agreement between the Office of the Ombudsman and retired military comptroller Carlos F. Garcia.

Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said that Ombudsman Special Prosecutor Wendell Barreras Sulit shall be on preventive suspension for three months aimed at preventing possible tampering of records and other evidence that she might have access to.

May 19, 2011
Meet the Bikolano Ombudsman Nominee

Naga City (May 19 2011) – A retired Regional Trial Court judge has come to within striking distance of becoming the next Ombudsman as he becomes the sole Bikolano nominee, thus far, to the position Merceditas Gutierrez only grudgingly let go.

Naga City (May 19 2011) – A retired Regional Trial Court judge has come to within striking distance of becoming the next Ombudsman as he becomes the sole Bikolano nominee, thus far, to the position Merceditas Gutierrez only grudgingly let go.

Judge Alfredo Agawa , 72 , is now in line for interview by the Judicial and Bar Council that is tasked to provide a short-list of candidates from which President Aquino will select the next Ombudsman.

May 12, 2011
RH Bill Sure to Pass Congress - Lagman

Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City (May 12, 2011) – “The controversial Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) will surely pass congress.” This was the brave prediction of Congressman Edsel Lagman of the 1st District of Albay as he warned the Catholic Church of the inevitable outcome of the reproductive health debate. During the press conference of the Lakas-Kampi party  yesterday, May 11, Lagman was even cocksure of the passage of the RH bill into a law.

Batasan Pambansa, Quezon City (May 12, 2011) – “The controversial Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) will surely pass congress.” This was the brave prediction of Congressman Edsel Lagman of the 1st District of Albay as he warned the Catholic Church of the inevitable outcome of the reproductive health debate.

During the press conference of the Lakas-Kampi party  yesterday, May 11, Lagman was even cocksure of the passage of the RH bill into a law.

April 29, 2011
Catanduanes Governor, 4 LGU Execs Face Plunder Raps

VIRAC, Catanduanes --- Catanduanes Gov. Joseph C. Cua and his alleged cohorts, four heads of provincial offices, face serious complaints of plunder, among others, filed before the office of the Ombudsman on April 11, 2011 by a demoted capitol employee, Assistant Provincial Assessor for Administration Romeo V. Camano.

VIRAC, Catanduanes --- Catanduanes Gov. Joseph C. Cua and his alleged cohorts, four heads of provincial offices, face serious complaints of plunder, among others, filed before the office of the Ombudsman on April 11, 2011 by a demoted capitol employee, Assistant Provincial Assessor for Administration Romeo V. Camano.

April 29, 2011
Merci Quits

Beleaguered Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez submitted her resignation letter to President Benigno Aquino III today, less than two weeks before the scheduled impeachment hearing against her at the Senate.

Beleaguered Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez submitted her resignation letter to President Benigno Aquino III today, less than two weeks before the scheduled impeachment hearing against her at the Senate.

April 29, 2011
Ombudsman Quits Ahead of Impeachment Trials

MANILA, Philippines – Two weeks ahead of the start of the trials at the Senate,  impeached Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez personally submitted her resignation letter to President Benigno Aquino III today.

MANILA, Philippines – Two weeks ahead of the start of the trials at the Senate,  impeached Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez personally submitted her resignation letter to President Benigno Aquino III today.

Gutierrez’s lawyer, Tomas Syquia, quoted the Ombudsman as saying in her letter: “I am resigning my office effective May 6. Even as a private citizen, I will still support the efforts of government in stamping out corruption.”

April 19, 2011
Merci won't hit back at Noy

MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez does not intend to engage President Aquino in a public word war.

In a statement, Gutierrez said she is not going to pick a fight with Aquino, who has been going around delivering speeches about how he wants her removed from office.

“I have been attacked numerous times, though unjustly and without basis,” she said.

“Many of these attacks have been coming not only from my usual detractors, but from no less than the President of the Republic himself.

April 1, 2011
Deputy Ombudsman Dismissed Over Manila Hostage-taking Incident

MANILA, April 1 2011 -- Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez III has been dismissed by the Office of the President (OP) for gross neglect of duty and gross misconduct in handling the dismissal complaint against hostage-taker former Police Sr. Insp. Rolando Mendoza, on recommendation of Malacanang lawyers who reviewed the findings of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC).

MANILA, April 1 2011 -- Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez III has been dismissed by the Office of the President (OP) for gross neglect of duty and gross misconduct in handling the dismissal complaint against hostage-taker former Police Sr. Insp. Rolando Mendoza, on recommendation of Malacanang lawyers who reviewed the findings of the Incident Investigation and Review Committee (IIRC).

March 25, 2011
Impeachment of Ombudsman Gutierrez, A Victory for the People

MANILA — After several hours of debate lasting until past midnight, members of the House of Representatives approved the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas N. Gutierrez. With a vote of 210-47 in favor of House Resolution 1089, the impeachment case against Gutierrez would now be tried by the Senate.

MANILA — After several hours of debate lasting until past midnight, members of the House of Representatives approved the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas N. Gutierrez. With a vote of 210-47 in favor of House Resolution 1089, the impeachment case against Gutierrez would now be tried by the Senate.

March 22, 2011
210 Congressmen Impeach Ombudsman Gutierrez

The lower house needs only 95 votes to impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez under House Resolution 1089. It gets 210 affirmative votes, with 47 no votes and 4 abstentions. The impeachment proceedings now goes to the senate.

The lower house needs only 95 votes to impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez under House Resolution 1089. It gets 210 affirmative votes, with 47 no votes and 4 abstentions. The impeachment proceedings now goes to the senate.

February 1, 2011
Former Masbate Mayor Faces Graft Charges

MASBATE CITY, Jan. 28 2011-—The Ombudsman is filing graft charges against a former town mayor accused of incurring cash advances of more than P26 million during his tenure.

MASBATE CITY, Jan. 28 2011-—The Ombudsman is filing graft charges against a former town mayor accused of incurring cash advances of more than P26 million during his tenure.

To be charged with malversation of public funds before the Sandiganbayan is former Mayor Bernardito Abapo of Milagros, Masbate.

In a statement, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said she ordered the filing of graft charges against Abapo for incurring some P26,509,594 in cash advances that state auditors said have remained “unliquidated.”