Palace to respect Ombudsman's timetables and processes

Malacañang on Saturday said it will “respect" the timetables laid down by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales in resolving cases filed before her office. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte also said the Palace will continue to encourage those who know of graft and corruption in the government to come out and testify. “We will respect the processes she wishes to implement ... As long as the rules of procedure are followed, we will respect the processes, the timetable the Office of the Ombudsman will implement when it comes to its work," she said on government-run dzRB radio. She also said the Palace will “extend assistance" to anyone who wants to come forward and give evidence and testimony against corruption. This extends not just to cases involving the Arroyo administration, she said. Valte also said the Palace understands Morales’ perceived “strict and serious" attitude, saying it is a case of “different strokes for different folks." “She’s been a trial court judge for so long ... Our lady judges are known to be strict and serious," she said. On Friday, Morales said she has given a fact-finding team one week, ending on Oct. 21, to evaluate the complaint filed against former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and several police officials implicated in the controversial P104.9-million sale of secondhand choppers in 2009. She also said she will prioritize the resolution of high-profile cases during her term. “We should not be satisfied in catching the ‘small fish’ as we must go after the school of ‘big fish’ lurking in government offices," Morales said. — ELR, GMA News