Liberal Party opposes former Duterte lawyer's bid to be ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines — The former administration Liberal Party is opposed to lawyer Edna Herrera-Batacan's application to be the next ombudsman.

LP stressed that Batacan “does not fit the description” of having recognized probity and independence—a characteristic required for the ombudsman and for deputy ombudsmen as mandated by the 1987 Constitution.

“As the office entrusted by the people to investigate and prosecute government official accused of wrongdoings, especially graft and corruption, the ombudsman post must be a paragon of probity, honesty and ethical conduct,” the party said.

LP cited the public interview of Batacan with the Judicial and Bar Council, when she admitted that she had been involved in a P50,000 payoff “just to get the status of the case.”

“What we have on record, instead of known probity as required by the constitution, is an admission of criminal liability,” the former ruling party said.

It added: “The consequences to good governance and to the people are dire if we will have an Ombudsman who cannot be trusted.”

READ: Opposition raised vs ombudsman application of Duterte's ex-lawyer

LP is the latest to raise opposition to the application of Batacan, a former counsel of President Rodrigo Duterte and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's husband,  Mike.

Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio had earlier filed a letter before the JBC opposing Batacan's application.

He accused Batacan of asking P8 million from a client in exchange for the dismissal of a case. The case, however, went on and Batacan has not refunded the money.

He also said that Batacan charged P1 million for photocopying expenses related to the case “but was unable to support such demand for reimbursement.”

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who is retiring this month, also slammed the defense lawyer for calling her office a “graft-ridden” agency.

During her interview with the JBC, Batacan said the ombudsman has become a “graft-ridden” agency, where investigators can be bribed to sit on cases.

In an interview with Rappler, Morales, who said she felt “insulted” by Batacan’s repeated allegations, dared the applicant to present evidence of her assertions.

“You say [the ombudsman] is corrupt , come up with evidence. If you are party to corruption, you are corrupt yourself,” Morales said, addressing Batacan.

Batacan used to be a public prosecutor under the ombudsman before she switched to private practice.

READ: Ombudsman aspirant hit over remark vs anti-graft agency