Pnoy defies Supreme Court

From: manilastandardtoday.com

President Aquino defied a Supreme Court ruling reinstating a deputy Ombudsman whom he had fired for allegedly demanding a bribe and sitting on the case of a dismissed police officer who eventually held some Hong Kong tourists hostage.

Aquino said Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales had sat on the case against suspended senior inspector Rolando Mendoza for nine months and was demanding a bribe, which led to the hostage situation in which Mendoza and eight tourists were killed.

“Mendoza could not appeal to a higher body because there was no final adjudication on his motion for reconsideration. I don’t think it helps anyone if their own rules are not implemented,” Mr. Aquino said.

Aquino said the Supreme Court claimed there was no basis that Gonzales committed betrayal of public trust but Gonzales was remiss in his duties for

sitting on the case of Mendoza.

The Supreme Court said Gonzales was not relieved of all his liabilities but the accusation against him “fell short of the constitutional standard of betrayal of public trust” and ordered his reinstatement.

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said Malacañang would seek a reversal of the Supreme Court ruling. ###