Duterte not content with COA probe

Ombuds to review COA audit on People’s Park

By ROGER M. BALANZA

 

            Mayor Rodrigo Duterte wants the Ombudsman for Mindanao to give the final verdict on the P71-million People’s Park, even as the Commission on Audit has declared the city government project graft-free.

            COA said yesterday it submitted results of a probe on allegations corruption marred the project, which found none after a probe requested by Duterte.

            Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Humphrey Monteroso said he would review the COA report.

            Duterte yesterday begged from commenting on the result of the COA probe saying he would make a statement only after the Ombudsman would bare its findings on the COA audit.

            “In deference to the Ombudsman, I would not comment on it,” said Duterte.

            Duterte had asked COA to conduct the audit, as he emerged as a suspect in the killing of broadcaster Ferdie Lintuan. Lintuan had accused City Hall of corruption in the construction of the People’s Park before he was gunned down on December 24 outside of his station DXGO.

            Duterte had filed a month-long leave for COA to conduct the investigation the result of which was announced last week.