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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Castro issues warning to Ombudsman: People are watching you

Castro issues warning to Ombudsman: People are watching you

Published Jun 22, 2025 12:53 pm  |  Updated Jun 22, 2025 01:05 pm

At A Glance

  • The people have their eyes on you. Outgoing ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro gave this "warning" to Ombudsman Samuel Martires as his office pursues criminal cases against Vice President Sara Duterte in connection with the confidential funds issue.


The people have their eyes on you.
Outgoing ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro gave this warning to Ombudsman Samuel Martires as his office pursues criminal cases against Vice President Sara Duterte in connection with the confidential funds issue.
We welcome the move of the Ombudsman on the criminal cases against VP Duterte even as the impeachment proceedings take their course. Hindi dapat maging (It should not be) one or the other, Casrro said in a statement Sunday, June 22.
Impeachment is removal from office and perpetual disqualification. The criminal case meanwhile is for imprisonment and the mere fact that she is asked to explain means it has sound basis. It can also be done by the Ombudsman motu propio as stated in
Republic Act No. 6770 (the Ombudsman Act of 1989) and the Constitution, she noted.
Castro then said: We would just like to warn the Ombudsman that being a Duterte appointee the people are extra vigilant in watching him as they fear that there may be a whitewash of the case aganist VP Duterte even if the evidence are overwhelming.
Martires is an appointee of former president Rodrigo Duterte, father of the Vice President.
The House, through the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, recommended the filing of plunder and malversation charges against the controversial lady official.
This, after the panel investigated in aid of legislation Vice President Duterte's alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds.
As it is, all modes for holding Sara Duterte accountable, whether through criminal cases or impeachment, should be welcomed, said Castro, House deputy minority leader in the just-concluded 19th Congress.
This need not be a case of choosing one over the other. Let the separate proceedings reach their logical conclusion - conviction, she added.
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