Ombudsman Samuel Martires
A party-list has slammed the alleged meddling of certain "business groups" in the case of Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Cesar Chiong, who had been dismissed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires.
According to Trabaho Party-list, these business groups have been prodding Martires to reverse the decision to dismiss Chiong, which is a "clear interference on the independence and investigatory functions of the Ombudsman".
“While the 1987 Constitution created the Ombudsman as ‘an independent constitutional body, unfettered by political influence and insulated it from the ebb and tide of political fortunes,’ here comes now a group of businessmen trying to erode the integrity of the office,” Trabaho Party-list Secretary General Juan Paolo Lorica said in a statement.
Lorica did not identify these business groups.
“The decision dismissing Chiong and MIAA OIC assistant general manager Irene Montalbo is clearly supported by evidence. It is unfair for the business sector to even insinuate that the Ombudsman and the panel of investigators did not investigate and decide the case with utmost objectivity,” added Lorica, a lawyer.
He pointed out that Martires’ record as Ombudsman has shown that he has maintained his independence and that he does not look into the political color of the respondents of the cases being decided by his office.
“Ombudsman Martires caused the withdrawal of the usurpation case that his predecessor has filed against President Noynoy Aquino. And just recently he dismissed from the service the Over-All Deputy Ombudsman for his involvement in the Pharmally case. The Ombudsman exacted justice for the Filipino people even as other government organs failed to do the same,” he said.
Simply put, Trabaho Party-list official noted that what the business groups are asking is for the Ombudsman to favor Chiong.
“Is Chiong the only citizen who can manage the airport efficiently and effectively? Is he the only citizen who is honest for which this government must lean on?” Lorica asked.
“Alalahanin sana ng mga grupong ito na kailangang unahin muna natin ang kapakanan ng mga maliliit na mangagawa bago ang interes ng mga malalaking negosyo (These groups should keep in mind that the welfare of small workers must be prioritized over the interest of big businesses),” he further said.
Source: Manila Bulletin (https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/5/business-groups-hit-for-prodding-ombudsman-to-reverse-miaa-chief-s-dismissal)
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