Malacañang has affirmed the dismissal from the service of Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra confirmed yesterday.
“Denied ang MR niya,” Guevarra said. “Order signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea,” added Guevarra who was officer-in-charge of Malacañang while President Duterte was in Japan.
Malacañang dismissed Carandang last year due to his 2017 disclosure of Duterte’s bank transactions reaching P1 billion without the authority of the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
Malacañang penalized Carandang with cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, barred him from taking civil service examinations, and perpetual disqualification from holding public office.
The decision stemmed from the administrative complaints separately filed by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and Labor Undersecretary Jacinto Paras and former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong.
The decision stated that Carandang was only interested in broadcasting information adverse to the President. “His keeping mum about information that was favorable to the President clearly amounted to manifest partiality,” the decision added.
It also found Carandang liable for giving unwarranted benefits, advantage, or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross inexcusable negligence.
Carandang was also found to have violated the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees on disclosure and or misuse of confidential information “to give undue advantage to Sen. Antonio F. Trillanes.” (Jeffrey Damicog)
