Palace ready to provide additional security to
Ombudsman Carpio-Morales
Malacanang said it is ready to augment the
security detail of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales who said she received
death threats apparently because of her participation in the ongoing inquiry on
the multi-billion pork barrel scam.
“Katulad nung ibinunyag ni Ombudsman Conchita
Carpio-Morales kahapon, siyempre handa naman kaming tumulong at magbigay ng
karagdagang seguridad sa kanya kapag hiningi niya ito,” Deputy Presidential
spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
Carpio-Morales confirmed receiving a death
threat, adding that it could be related to the ongoing investigation on
anomalies regarding pork barrel funds. But Carpio-Morales played down the
threat, saying that she was far from being frightened.
The Office of the Ombudsman leads an
eight-member Interagency Anti-Graft Coordinating Council tasked to look into
the alleged misuse of pork barrel funds as indicated in a special COA audit of
PDAF from 2007 to 2009.
Other bodies involved in the investigation include
the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Commission on Audit (COA).
Asked by reporters if the government is also
ready to protect whistleblowers in connection with the administration’s fight
against graft and corruption, Valte said there is an existing mechanism under
the justice department that ensures the safety of whistleblowers.
Earlier, several whistleblowers gave their
affidavits to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), detailing how the
pork barrels of some lawmakers were misused through the use of bogus
foundations and organizations allegedly masterminded by businesswoman Janet
Lim-Napoles.
Napoles turned herself in this week after
President Aquino offered a P10-million reward for her capture. PND (as)
Palace condemns killing of Iligan City
broadcaster
Malacanang condemned the murder of an Iligan
City radio commentator saying it would coordinate with police for the immediate
resolution of the case.
“Hindi tino-tolerate ng pamahalaan ang mga
ganitong pangyayari lalo na laban sa mga media practitioners,” Deputy
Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a radio interview over dzRB
Radyo ng Bayan on Saturday.
Valte said the Palace will be coordinating with
the Philippine National Police (PNP) to get more details of the case and serve
justice to the family of the victim.
Fernando Solijon of dxLS Love Radio was shot
multiple times late Thursday as he was about to board his car after having
drinks with colleagues at a friend’s house. The gunman fled aboard a motorcycle
driven by another man, police said.
Solijon, 48, is a well-known radio commentator
critical of alleged corruption and rising crime in Iligan City. The radio
station, where Solijon worked for seven years, described the killing as
“work-related.”
According to the National Union of Journalists
in the Philippines, Solijon would be the 159th journalist killed in the country
since 1986 if his killing is proven to be work-related. PND (as)
