Ex-deputy Ombudsman eyed as resource person in Sara Duterte impeach hearing

Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V has formally requested the House Committee on Justice to invite former Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang as a resource person in the impeachment deliberations against Vice President Sara Duterte. The request specifically focuses on issues involving Duterte's Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and allegations of unexplained wealth. Ortega justified this move by highlighting Carandang's extensive experience in high-level financial investigations, particularly his direct involvement in examining bank transaction records obtained from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) related to the financial dealings of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his family members, including Vice President Sara Duterte.

Carandang served as Overall Deputy Ombudsman from 2013 to 2019 and oversaw major corruption investigations at the Office of the Ombudsman. In 2017, he gained national attention after confirming that the Ombudsman had obtained bank transaction records from the AMLC as part of an investigation into a plunder complaint filed by former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV against then-President Duterte and his family. Ortega believes Carandang's expertise in analyzing financial documents and banking records alongside SALN submissions could help the committee better understand how investigators evaluate such evidence.

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The impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte includes multiple accusations of graft, bribery, irregular procurement, unexplained wealth, and omissions or inaccuracies in her SALN. The request for Carandang's testimony comes as the House Committee on Justice continues its deliberations on whether to proceed with the impeachment proceedings. Carandang's potential testimony is seen as crucial for understanding the technical aspects of financial investigations and how SALN discrepancies are identified and evaluated.

Carandang's history with the Duterte family adds complexity to the situation. His disclosure of confidential bank information in 2017 triggered political controversy and led to administrative complaints against him. Malacañang subsequently ordered his dismissal from service in 2018 for alleged misconduct and violation of confidentiality rules, a decision affirmed by the Office of the President in 2019. His potential testimony could provide insights into the methodology used by the Ombudsman's office in investigating high-profile financial cases involving government officials.