Malacañang has called for an investigation into the alleged “secret” dismissal of the 2016 plunder case filed against Senate Deputy Minority Leader Joel Villanueva, reportedly ordered by former Ombudsman Samuel Martires.
This comes after Senator Villanueva condemned the move of current Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to enforce the 2016 dismissal order initially issued by then-Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales. The order stemmed from Villanueva’s alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) when he served as CIBAC Party-list Representative in 2008.
Martires later admitted that he had reversed Morales’ decision clearing Villanueva of liability but claimed he was not obligated to make the reversal public, a stance that has drawn concern from Malacañang.
“Dapat ito talagang maimbestigahan nang malaliman upang kung anuman ang may pagkakamali, kung anuman ang nalabag na batas kung mayroon man ay dapat itong masolusyunan at maitama ng Office of the Ombudsman,” said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro in an interview with reporters.
Castro, who is a lawyer, added that incumbent officials must trace the exact timeline of Martires’ issuance of the reversal to determine whether it remains valid or appealable.
“Halimbawa po ay hindi po nabigyan ng kopya ang mga parties, iyon pong time para mag-file ng anumang aksiyon – let’s say motion for reconsideration regarding the said decision ay hindi naman po umaandar,” she explained.
The Palace emphasized that the Office of the Ombudsman must ensure transparency and due process in all its rulings to preserve public trust in the country’s justice system.