Press Release
August 30, 2017

Transcript of Interview with Senate Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon

Q: On the Ombudsman issue

Drilon: This is a legal issue. If the president really believes that there is a question on the term o f office, the solicitor general (SolGen) can file a quo-warranto case before the court, meaning he will question the continued discharge of the functions of the office. There is a legal remedy. I would suggest that if the administration is really serious about this legal issue, the matter must be brought to court. The SolGen is the one authorized to file a quo-warranto - not every citizen of Tom, Dick and Harry can file a quo-warranto case. It has to be the SolGen.

Q: What is your legal opinion on this?

Drilon: It is obvious that term is for a full seven years. As distinguished from other constitutional officials, where it is expressly stated that the appointee who assumes the unexpired portion of the term will only serve the unexpired portion - the CoA, the Comelec, for example. There is no such expressed provision on the Office of the Ombudsman.

Drilon: Her term will be finished on July 2018. It doesn't make sense.

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