SC dismisses disbarment vs Ombudsman

March 28, 2017

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed for lack of merit a disbarment case filed by a former senatorial candidate against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales.

In a media briefing, SC spokesman Theodore Te said the court cited several cases where they said a lawyer who holds office may only be removed by impeachment cannot be charged with disbarment during the person’s incumbency.

“The Ombudsman is part of the short list of public officers who may be removed only by impeachment,” the SC ruled.

In his disbarment complaint, Greco Belgica, accused Morales of violating 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). DMS