MANILA, Philippines — Solicitor General Jose Calida said that he is ready to defend the Office of the President's suspension of Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Carandang before any court. The OES, on Monday, charged Carandang with grave misconduct and grave dishonesty and ordered 90-day preventive suspension of the Office of the Ombudsman executive. Calida also said, "Nonetheless, my office is ready to defend the action of the Office of the President in suspending Carandang. We are confident that the Supreme Court will reverse its 2014 ruling." EXPLAINER: Can the Office of the President suspend Deputy Ombudsman Carandang?

Source: Philippine Star January 30, 2018 09:11 UTC