Ombudsman urges Supreme Court to act on complaint against CA justices

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has urged the Supreme Court to act on a pending administrative complaint against seven justices of the Court of Appeals (CA). The complaint, originally filed in March last year by former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, accuses the justices of gross ignorance of the law and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

The case stems from the CA’s reversal of preventive suspension orders issued by the Office of the Ombudsman against officials in Antique, including Tobias Fornier Mayor Ernesto Tanjanlangit III. The dispute involved a disagreement regarding food pack distribution.

Remulla noted that there is currently no public record of the Judicial Integrity Office or the Supreme Court having resolved the matter. His comments follow a statement from Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting, who suggested that the Ombudsman should file specific charges against members of the judiciary if evidence of wrongdoing exists, rather than making broad accusations.