Ombudsman warns House SecGen Garafil: Comply with SALN request or face suspension.
At A Glance
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla warned House of Representatives Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil of suspension if she continues to refuse the release of the statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) of House lawmakers under probe on anomalous flood control projects.
Remulla declared during a press briefing on Monday, April 6: "I'm warning the House Secretary General. Do not do this again."
"I will cite the Secretary General in contempt. We will not allow them to ignore the orders of the Office of the Ombudsman," he warned.
Garafil, whose office is in charge of dispatching SALNs, has repeatedly denied the request of Ombudsman prosecutors to access the documents and reasoned that they need to first secure the approval of the House through a plenary vote.
Remulla said that Garafil has refused to receive the subpoena issued by his office requesting the SALNs of lawmakers. He also said that personnel of the Ombudsman were barred entry by the House security personnel.
Meanwhile, Remulla has also been asked to appear during the April 14 hearing of the House Justice Committee to submit the SALNs of Vice President Sara Duterte as part of her ongoing impeachment proceedings.
He was subpoenaed by House Speaker Faustino Dy III, Justice Committee Chairperson Rep. Gerville Luistro, and Garafil. They want Remulla to submit the SALNs of Duterte from 2007 to 2013, 2016 to 2022, and 2022 to 2025.
Earlier, Remulla had said that he will comply with the House subpoena.