MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman is investigating Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and former Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales said on Monday.
In an interview with CNN’s "The Source" on Monday morning, Morales said that the probe involving President Duterte's son has been raffled to Deputy Ombudsman Cyril Ramos, who heads OMB - Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices.
The ombudsman reiterated that she has distanced herself from any probe involving the Dutertes because of family ties. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, the president's daughter, is married to lawyer Manases Carpio, who is Morales’ nephew.
Asked on the status of the probe, Morales said: “It has not been terminated yet, I don’t dare inquire.”
“I think it has something to do with his (Duterte’s) Statement Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth,” Morales added.
The former Davao City vice mayor was earlier under investigation for his alleged involvement in the P6.4-billion shabu smuggling case, but has since been cleared by the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Office of the Ombudsman also terminated its fact-finding investigation into the alleged hidden wealth of President Rodrigo Duterte due to lack of evidence.
READ: Ombudsman explains termination of probe into Duterte 'wealth'
Wanda Teo probe
Morales also said the Office of the Ombudsman is investigating Teo, who resigned amid corruption controversies over the P60 million in advertisements that the Department of Tourism placed through state-run People's Television Network in a television program produced by her brother Ben Tulfo's media company.
The ombudsman said that the investigation was launched “motu proprio” or on its own initiative, a power vested upon the Office of the Ombudsman under the 1987 Constitution.
“I will get the ire of some people but that’s what we did,” Morales added.
The ombudsman also hinted that there are investigations into other officials who have either been sacked by Duterte or have resigned. She declined to give more names.
Morales will step down as the country’s chief graft buster on July 26 after seven years in the post.
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