THE Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the disbarment case filed against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales because she could only be removed by impeachment.
“The Ombudsman is part of the short list of public officers who may be removed only by impeachment,” the high court ruled.
The case was filed by losing senatorial candidate Greco Belgica, but the magistrates said his complaint had no basis.
Belgica had accused Morales of violating the Lawyer’s Oath and the Canon of Professional Responsibility after she dismissed the graft case filed against former President Benigno Aquino III in connection with the Disbursement Acceleration Program.
But Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te said the magistrates cited several decided cases where they repeatedly said that a member of the Bar who holds office that may only be removed by impeachment may not be charged with disbarment during his or her incumbency.