Palace may accept deputy Ombudsman Jalandoni's resignation

Malacañang hinted on Monday that it will most likely to accept the resignation of Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Mark Jalandoni, who announced his intention last week. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. said his office expects to receive Jalandoni’s resignation. “That’s his prerogative, we will respect that decision of his ... we might as well accept that resignation," Ochoa said in an interview on dzBB radio. On Sunday, deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said the administrative complaints filed against Jalandoni before the Office of the President may become moot once the deputy Ombudsman resigns. Earlier, on Thursday, three complaints were filed before the Office of the President against Jalandoni, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a text message to reporters. On Friday, Jalandoni resigned, saying he appeared to be next in line among those who are being targeted by Malacañang for dismissal. Jalandoni said the charges against him were baseless. However, he said he tendered his irrevocable resignation to spare the Office of the Ombudsman from further controversy. Earlier, President Benigno Aquino III dismissed Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzalez III for the alleged delay in resolving the case against Rolando Mendoza, the slain hostage-taker during the August 23 hostage crisis. Gonzalez challenged the authority of the President over his dismissal and impeached Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez refused to implement the dismissal order. Meanwhile, Ochoa maintained there is “nothing personal" against Gutierrez, who after her impeachment will face an impeachment trial at the Senate this May. “This is nothing personal, this is part of the campaign of the president, the message there is (the) credibility of the Ombudsman. Ang confidence natin diyan is not as good as it should be. Ang position natin doon how can we pursue our objectives against corruption if that is the situation so we have to do something," he said. (Our confidence on that issue is not as good as it should be. Our position is how we can pursue our objectives against corruption if that is the situation so we have to do something.) – VVP, GMA News