Politics · Philippines Bureau
Supreme Court urges Ombudsman to file complaints against erring judges
The Supreme Court has challenged Ombudsman Crispin Remulla to formally lodge complaints against judges if he has evidence of misconduct, marking a rare public exchange between the two institutions. The directive came after Remulla raised concerns during a Senate budget hearing about cases dismissed by his office being revived in court.
LSN Philippines ·
The Supreme Court issued the directive on Thursday in response to questions raised by Ombudsman Crispin Remulla during a Senate budget hearing, where he questioned the reversal of cases his office had previously dismissed.
In its statement, the high court indicated that if Remulla possesses evidence of judicial misconduct, he should pursue formal administrative charges against the judges involved rather than raising the matter indirectly in legislative proceedings.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between the Ombudsman's office and the judiciary over case dispositions and the handling of dismissed cases that are later revived through court proceedings.
Remulla had expressed frustration during the Senate hearing about the apparent inconsistency in how his office's rulings were being treated, suggesting a pattern of reversals that warranted investigation.
The Supreme Court's response underscores established protocols for addressing judicial conduct issues, which typically require formal complaints to be filed through proper channels rather than aired in public forums.