Malacañang on Friday asked incoming Ombudsman Samuel Martires to immediately execute the dismissal order against Overall Deputy Ombudsman Arthur Carandang.
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Palace wishes that the order be implemented as soon as Martires officially takes his oath.
“Well, as far as I know, it is the Office of the President that should also implement that [order], but we leave it to the incoming Ombudsman [on] how it will be implemented. We will give him the opportunity to implement that,” Roque told reporters in a press briefing in Bukidnon.
The Palace order, dated July 30, said that the transgressions of Carandang “constitute graft and corruption, as well as the betrayal of public trust, which gravely affects his fitness to remain in public office.”
Roque reiterated that the dismissal order is founded on both facts and law.
“If former Deputy Ombudsman Carandang disagrees with it, then he can avail of judicial review,” he said, adding that Carandang can appeal the Palace decision.
“Clearly, he violated the Anti-Money Laundering Act himself when he made public certain documents, which was later on confirmed by AMLC not to be accurate. So, it was really a rumor on a matter that should have been handled on a confidential basis. I think that merits the order of dismissal,” Roque explained.
Asked whether the dismissal order was unethical, Roque answered, “I think it was unethical for Carandang to have used its office for political reasons, because that’s clearly what motivated him to use unverified information from the AMLC, in a manner that is contrary to law.”
The order said that Carandang violated Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.