The Office of the Ombudsman still has no jurisdiction over the issues currently faced by Vice President Sara Duterte following several complaints related to her impeachment.
In an interview during Dos Por Dos on Tuesday, Ombudsman Samuel Martires stated that he has no information on whether the Department of Justice will continue its investigation into the impeachment of the Vice President. He clarified that they are simply "observing" at the moment.
"Sa ngayon kami'y nagmamasid lamang at naghihintay sa mga mangyayare. Wala pa kaming nakikitang pagkakataon na dapat naming imbestigahan si VP Sara sa mga sinabi at actions niya," Martires said.
"Wala pa kaming nakikita na magiging saklaw ng jurisdiction ng Ombudsman o nang Sandigangbayan," he added.
Martires emphasized that the discussions involving Duterte do not relate to corruption. However, they will rely on the Commission on Audit’s (COA) report on the notices of disallowances and its final decision.
Meanwhile, Duterte could still approach the Supreme Court if she wishes to contest COA's findings.
"Hangga't hindi pa tapos ang proseso ng audit nakatali ang aming mga kamay, wala kaming magagawa," said the Ombudsman.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier stated that it will "not shut up" and will continue to investigate the Vice President for allegedly threatening President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family members.
On the other hand, Martires said that the alleged threat does not fall under their jurisdiction and will instead be handled by a Regional Trial Court, as it is considered "personal."
"She [Vice President Sara Duterte] is accountable to the people, not under the Ombudsman law but under the provisions of Revice Penal Code which is cognizable now 'yung kanyang offense by the Regional Court," he noted.
On Monday, a civil society group filed an impeachment complaint against the Vice President, which was endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, accusing Duterte of “blatant violations of the Constitution, egregious corruption, and complicity in mass murder.”
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had issued a subpoena for Duterte to appear last Friday, November 29, to explain her previous controversial statement, but she failed to show up and instead requested to reschedule with the NBI.
