Former senatorial bet files disbarment complaint vs Ombudsman Morales

March 24, 2017

Former senatorial candidate Greco Belgica on Friday filed a disbarment complaint against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio- Morales before the Supreme Court.

In a 12-page complaint, Belgica said Morales violated the lawyer’s oath and the canon of professional responsibility after she dismissed a graft and technical malversation case against former President Benigno Aquino III in connection with the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

"By absolving the former president of criminal liability by omitting his name in the discussion relative to the finding of probable cause against former (Budget) Secretary Florencio Abad, the Filipino people was deprived of their right to procedural due process," read the complaint.

"Hence, the Ombudsman violated her lawyer's oath when she deprived of their right to due procedural due process, a right enshrined in our Constitution and mandated by law," it added.

Morales cleared Aquino and former Budget Undersecretary Mario Relampagos of technical malversation, usurpation of legislative powers and graft charges for the alleged illegal implementation of P72-billion DAP in 2011, 2012, and 2013.

Only former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad was found liable for usurpation of legislative powers. But other charges against Abad were dismissed.

Belgica said Aquino should also be made liable for the circular because a provision there states that it bore the approval of the president.

Aquino  appointed Morales to the post of Ombudsman when she retired as Supreme Court associate justice in 2011.

Morales is retiring on July 25 2018. DMS