IT would just be a fact-finding investigation, not a “fresh vilification move.”

This was the assurance made by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in reaction to opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s accusation that the government is again out to fabricate issues against him.

“The Ombudsman assured Sen. Panfilo Lacson that the investigation of his personal and public records is part of a routine procedure being conducted on all government officials against whom complaints, anonymous or otherwise, are filed before the office,” said Assistant Ombudsman Jose de Jesus, spokesman for the Ombudsman.

De Jesus clarified that the Ombudsman issues subpoenas on the records of all government officials who are the subject of complaints that are filed before the antigraft body, and not only records of those belonging to the opposition party.

“The office is an independent body pursuing its constitutional mandate,” he said.

De Jesus also said that at least three cases filed earlier against Lacson had already been “closed and terminated,” after the Ombudsman investigators who conducted the fact-finding probe did not find sufficient evidence to pursue the said cases.

“I want to assure the senator that the inquiry being conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman is impartial and fair,” he added.

Government forces retake Basilan town

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Government security forces have retaken the control of one of the 11 towns in Basilan that were occupied by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels on Monday.

Bishops, ulama meet on govt-MILF pact

ROMAN Catholic bishops and their Muslim counterparts, ulama, will hold a conference on Wednesday in Davao City, with the government-Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) memorandum of agreement on ancestral domain (MOA-AD) on top of the agenda.

Crame sends more cops to Cotabato

THE National Police deployed more personnel in North Cotabato to stem the possible spill of marauding Moro rebels into other areas that have remained unaffected by the ongoing fighting between government forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels.

Foreign biz worried by skills-jobs mismatch

FOR five years now, the foreign chambers have been telling the government and academe that the skills being produced in the country do not match the needs of the industries.

RP, Timor Leste ink three bilateral pacts

THE Philippines and Timor Leste on Tuesday signed three bilateral pacts aimed at fostering cooperation between the two countries in the areas of marine and fisheries, academics and diplomat training.

Dialogue key to attain lasting peace–Horta

PRESident Jose Ramos-Horta of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste on Monday underscored the importance of holding dialogues in settling conflicts to attain lasting peace.

Ombudsman assures Lacson of fair investigation

IT would just be a fact-finding investigation, not a “fresh vilification move.”

This was the assurance made by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in reaction to opposition Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s accusation that the government is again out to fabricate issues against him.