DOJ says Cadiz remains justice undersecretary even if tagged by Zaldy Co as 'involved' in flood control mess
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday, Nov. 25, said Undersecretary Jose R. Cadiz Jr. remains a top official of the department despite having been implicated in the flood control mess by resigned congressman and now fugitive from justice Zaldy Co.
“Undersecretary Cadiz remains to be one of the undersecretaries of the department,” declared DOJ Acting Secretary Frederick Vida amid rumors that the undersecretary might have resigned or been fired.
When asked if the DOJ will investigate Cadiz, Vida said: “No. We have no jurisdiction.”
Vida explained that the Office of the Ombudsman has jurisdiction to investigate government officials who committed wrong doings in the conduct of their offices.
He pointed out that the DOJ’s own investigations on the flood control mess will not be affected. The DOJ has co-equal jurisdiction with the Ombudsman in the investigations of public officers with Salary Grade 26 and below.
He recalled that when Ombudsman Jesus Crispin C. Remulla was still the justice secretary, Vida recounted that he and Cadiz were the only top officials who were not assigned to interview witnesses in the flood control mess.
“Until today po he (Cadiz) is not involved in any of the ongoing DOJ investigations relative to the flood control issues,” Vida also said.
Vida said that Cadiz is on official leave of absence from Nov. 21 to Nov. 28 and will be back to work thereafter.
He assured that Cadiz went on leave not to flee the country. “Wala po s’yang application for travel authority (He has no application for travel authority),” he added.