Omb. Martires wala raw nakikitang aksyon ni VP Sara na dapat imbestigahan sa ngayon | 24 Oras

Summary

Ombudsman Samuel Martires has responded to calls for an investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte's actions, stating that no violations have been observed so far. He also addressed Justice Secretary Jess Andres' claim that the Ombudsman could discipline Duterte, asserting the Ombudsman's authority to take over investigations when needed. Martires emphasized the separation of powers between branches of government while defending his independence in overseeing investigations. Meanwhile, the House Committee on Good Government is looking into the use of confidential funds by the Vice President's office and the Department of Education.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Ombudsman, Samuel Martirez, has stated that there are no actions by Vice President Sarah Duterte at the moment that warrant an investigation.
• 😀 Martirez clarified that investigations would only occur if any actions by the Vice President were found to be part of her official duties and in violation of the law.
• 😀 The Ombudsman responded to claims by Justice Secretary Jess Andres, who suggested that the Ombudsman should discipline VP Duterte, advising him to refrain from discussing the case.
• 😀 Martirez reminded Secretary Andres that the Ombudsman has the authority to take over investigations from any government agency at any stage of the process, as per the Ombudsman Act of 1989.
• 😀 He also highlighted that if the threats made by VP Duterte are tied to her official role, the Ombudsman could investigate, but personal matters fall outside their jurisdiction.
• 😀 Martirez emphasized that the Ombudsman can take over investigations even if they are already being handled by other agencies like the NBI or DOJ, as a courtesy to other branches of government.
• 😀 The House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability is investigating VP Duterte’s use of ₱650 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
• 😀 The Ombudsman could request Congress to stop its investigation and allow them to take over if deemed necessary, but this would be a rare move due to the separation of powers between branches of government.
• 😀 Representative Joel Chua, Chairman of the House Committee, clarified that their investigation is not for criminal purposes but is in aid of legislation.
• 😀 Martirez stated that his appointment to the Supreme Court and later to the position of Ombudsman by former President Rodrigo Duterte has no bearing on the current investigations, as he has never been personally close to the Duterte family.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the transcript?

The main issue discussed is the potential investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte, specifically regarding her recent threats against President Bongbong Marcos and the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

What is Ombudsman Samuel Martirez's stance on investigating Vice President Sara Duterte?

Ombudsman Samuel Martirez stated that his office has not seen any actions from Vice President Sara Duterte that would warrant an investigation. He emphasized that there needs to be clear evidence that the actions were related to her official duties.

What did Martirez say about the power of the Ombudsman to take over investigations?

Martirez emphasized that the Ombudsman has the power to take over investigations from other government agencies if those investigations involve public officers and relate to their official duties. He referred to the provisions of the 1989 Ombudsman Act that grant this authority.

What did Secretary of Justice Jess Andres suggest regarding the investigation of Vice President Duterte?

Secretary of Justice Jess Andres suggested that the Ombudsman has the authority to discipline and investigate Vice President Duterte, implying that such an investigation should be pursued.

How did Ombudsman Martirez respond to Jess Andres' suggestion?

Ombudsman Martirez responded by advising Jess Andres to stop commenting on the case, as the Ombudsman has exclusive authority over such investigations. He reminded Andres that the Ombudsman can take over investigations at any stage if it concerns the duties of a public official.

What specific case is the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability investigating regarding Vice President Duterte?

The House Committee is investigating the use of 650 million pesos in confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

What did Representative Joel Chua clarify about the nature of the House investigation?

Representative Joel Chua clarified that the House investigation is in aid of legislation, not a criminal investigation. He emphasized the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of government.

What is the role of the Ombudsman in relation to investigations initiated by other government bodies like the House of Representatives?

The Ombudsman has the authority to take over investigations initiated by other government bodies, such as the House of Representatives, if the investigation concerns a public officer and falls within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.

What did Martirez say regarding his relationship with former President Rodrigo Duterte?

Martirez denied being close to former President Rodrigo Duterte. He clarified that there was no personal relationship and emphasized that his appointment as Ombudsman was not influenced by the former president.

What did Martirez mean when he said threats made by Vice President Duterte could be personal or official?

Martirez suggested that if the threats made by Vice President Duterte were related to her official duties, they could fall under the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction. However, if the threats were personal in nature, they would not be within the Ombudsman’s jurisdiction.