The Office of the Ombudsman is hitting a wall in its investigation into this week’s shooting incident inside the Senate, with officials reportedly refusing to accept legal documents and subpoenas.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla revealed on Saturday that process servers dispatched to the legislative building were barred from delivering formal notices concerning a suspension order and ongoing fact-finding operations.
“Nagkakaproblema ah, yung aming process server, ayaw na naman tanggapin sa Senate pero may notice na,”
Remulla argued that the chamber is well aware of the ongoing investigation, pointing to public remarks made by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who suggested that National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag should face charges. For the Ombudsman, this pushback proves the Senate is cognizant of the legal proceedings, rendering their refusal to accept the paperwork moot.
“Hindi ko sila maintindihan, kasi sa akin considered served na ’yan kahit hindi nila tinanggap,”
The standoff extends to the chamber’s security leadership. Remulla reminded the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms that legislative security personnel are not immune to regular law enforcement processes.
“Sergeant-at-Arms ‘yan, security guard ng Senate ‘yan, in the end ang trabaho niyan is to secure the Senate and to make sure that the rules are followed,”
“Nobody is above the law, kahit nagtatrabaho ka sa Senado,”
The investigation centers on a shooting that occurred inside the Senate premises on Wednesday night. Aside from the subpoenas, the Ombudsman has ordered Senate authorities to hand over vital closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to look into potential security lapses.
Warning of a dangerous precedent if the legislature continues to stonewall independent investigators, Remulla emphasized that defying bodies like the NBI and the police weakens the country’s legal system.
“Kapag pinayagan natin na ganyan-ganyan na na lang babalewalain nila ang NBI, babalewalain nila ang police hindi pwede yan, anong klaseng bansa tayo kung ganon?”
Senate officials have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the subpoena refusal or whether they will comply with the directive to release the security tapes.