MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Executive Secretary has suspended Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Arthur Carandang for 90 days after charging him with grave misconduct and grave dishonesty. READ: Deputy ombudsman suspended for grave misconductThe Office of the President, however, appears to have exceeded its authority in suspending Carandang. Two years later, upon the petitions filed by former Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III and Special Prosecutor Wendell Barreras-Sulit, the Supreme Court reversed its decision and declared the provision unconstitutional. 6770 unconstitutional by granting disciplinary jurisdiction to the President over a Deputy Ombudsman, in violation of the independence of the Office of the Ombudsman," the 2014 decision read. "This ruling renders any further ruling on the dismissal of Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III unnecessary, but is without prejudice to the power of the Ombudsman to conduct an administrative investigation, if warranted, into the possible administrative liability of Deputy Ombudsman Emilio Gonzales III under pertinent Civil Service laws, rules and regulations," it added.

Source: Philippine Star January 29, 2018 10:18 UTC