High-profile cases for the next ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council on Wednesday will conduct a whole-day public interview on those vying for the ombudsman post.

The incumbent Labor secretary, a Supreme Court justice, an anti-graft judge and prosecutor, a trial court judge and private lawyers have applied to become the country’s next chief graft buster.

READ: Who's who: A look at candidates aspiring to be the next ombudsman

Here are some of the high-profile cases they will tackle when they assume the mantle of becoming the next ombudsman:

PDAF scam, Janet Lim-Napoles

Dozens of lawmakers and politicians are linked to the multi-billion government project scam under the administration of former Presidents Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III.

While Morales said that she “intended to finish” the PDAF case, she is forced her to turn over the investigation to her successor due voluminous records.

The investigation into the Disbursement Acceleration Program and Priority Development Assistance Fund scam resulted to the detention of three senators: Juan Ponce Enrile, Jinggoy Estrada and Bong Revilla Jr.

The testimony of businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles is central to the government’s steps to exact accountability from government officials who may have profited from the scheme.

During the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Napoles’ fate underwent a turnaround.

For three months, Napoles was placed under the provisional Witness Protection Program. She was eventually removed from government protection soon after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has buckled down to work at the Department of Justice.

READ: PDAF, DAP probe to continue under next ombudsman, Morales says

Paolo Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth

The Office of the Ombudsman is currently looking into the wealth declaration documents of Paolo Duterte, presidential son and former Davao City Vice Mayor.

Morales, in an interview with the CNN, said that Deputy Ombudsman Cyril Ramos, who leads OMB – Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices, heads the investigation into the younger Duterte’s SALN.

No other details have been publicized on the case. Morales has earlier recused herself from any investigation into the Duterte clan due to her relations to the first family.

The former Davao City vice mayor was placed 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.

READ: Office of the Ombudsman looking into Paolo Duterte, Wanda Teo

Solicitor General Jose Calida’s security agency

The Office of the Ombudsman is also looking into possible violations of Solicitor General Jose Calida for owning a security firm that bagged multi-million contracts with several government agencies.

Morales said that field investigators are already conducting fact finding investigation on Calida’s stock ownership of Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. that has a contract with at least 10 government agencies.

The solicitor general stressed that he has long stepped down as part of the management board of Vigilant. He said that there is no need for him to divest since the law gives the option to either resign or divest.

Calida owns 60-percent of the security firm, while the rest of the shares are equally divided to his wife and three children.

The investigation stemmed from the complaint filed by Jocelyn Acosta-Nisperos on May 10.

READ: Ombudsman confirms Calida probe | What we know so far: Vigilance on Calida's security agency

Wanda Teo, other officials who left, sacked by Duterte

Morales also said that her office launched “motu proprio” investigations into officials of the Duterte administration who resigned or were fired.

Among the officials under probe include former Tourism chief Wanda Teo. She resigned amid corruption controversies over the P60-million advertisements of the Department of Tourism placed through state-run People’s Television Network, a program produced by the media outfit owned by her brother Ben Tulfo.

“I will get the ire of some people but that’s what we did,” Morales said.

She also hinted at investigations into other officials who have either been sacked by Duterte or have stepped down, but refused to divulge names.