MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) did not issue on Tuesday a restraining order that would stop the Office of the President (OP) from implementing its order dismissing Emilio Gonzales III as Deputy Ombudsman. Instead, the SC – during its full court session in Baguio City – directed the OP, through Executive Secretary Pacquito Ochoa Jr., to file its comment in 10 days.
It is expected that the plea for a TRO sought by Gonzales in his petition would be taken up by the SC after the filing of the comment.
Gonzales was ordered dismissed from the service by President Aquino last March 31 for allegedly mishandling the case of Police Inspector Rolando Mendoza who held hostage a busload of tourists, mostly Chinese, at the Luneta Grandstand in Manila last year.
He refused to vacate his post and opted to file a petition challenging his dismissal before the SC.
Gonzales also asked the SC to stop Malacañang from dismissing him from the service in connection with the Luneta hostage-taking tragedy.
Gonzales who heads the Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices (MOLEO) of the anti-graft body said the charges against him was baseless and unconstitutional.
Malacañang probers found Gonzales guilty of "gross neglect of duty" and "gross misconduct" for his alleged inaction in the motion for reconsideration filed by hostage-taker Rolando Mendoza.
Rey Panaligan & Jun Ramirez, Manila Bulletin
