Lawmaker in PDAF raps: Clip Ombudsman powers

A lawmaker in hot water for malversation charges for allegedly diverting her husband’s Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) to her own foundation is seeking to delay the Ombudsman’s investigation against them.

Toward that end, Rep. Florida Robes of San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan filed House Bill 2188 or Act Providing Additional Requisite for Filing of Complaints Against Members of Congress in Relation to Their Office, which prevents the public from filing graft, malversation, plunder and other related charges against members of Congress before the Office of the Ombudsman and also bans the Ombudsman’s office from filing the same charges against public officials before the Sandiganbayan unless the culpability of the alleged erring official has been determined by the respective Ethics Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.