OMBUDSMAN CONCHITA Carpio-Morales yesterday hit back at Solicitor General (SolGen) Jose C. Calida over the supposed failure of her office to immediately release the information that the investigation on President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s alleged undisclosed wealth was closed and terminated on Nov. 29, 2017. In a statement, Ms. Morales said, “Fact-finding investigations, under the rules, are generally confidential in nature. The (Ombudsman’s) Office is not obliged to inform the subject of the fact-finding investigation about its outcome. The confidentiality of proceedings was, in fact, recognized by the Solicitor General when he cited the exception that the Ombudsman has the power to publicize certain matters (e.g., whether or not to act upon an inquiry “out of curiosity” or media requests for case status out of journalistic duty).” Ms. Morales also pointed out that it is public knowledge that she inhibited herself from the case and as such, “could not have considered exercising such discretionary power…” The Ombudsman confirmed that the investigation has been terminated, but noted that “By rule, ‘[a] closed and terminated field investigation is without prejudice to the refiling of a complaint with new or additional evidence.’” — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

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