Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales on Tuesday called former President Benigno Aquino III corrupt-free, even as the anti-graft office is continuing its fact-finding investigation into the liability of the former President on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and the Mamasapano carnage.

During the Meet the Inquirer Forum, Morales said the reputation of the former President was not tainted with any corruption.

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“You have to give it to him. He is corrupt-free,” Morales said.

She called Aquino’s anti-corruption platform a style of leadership by example.

“It’s leadership by example. It’s probably because of his being not corrupt, he did it by example,” Morales said.

But of course there are “misfits” around Aquino, Morales said without elaborating.

Morales assured that the complaints against Aquino remained active before the Ombudsman.

“There are pending cases against Aquino. I think still under investigation. We call it active,” Morales said.

Aquino was sued before the Ombudsman for alleged reckless imprudence resulting in homicide over the botched anti-terror raid Oplan Exodus that claimed the lives of 44 Special Action Force (SAF) cops in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, and alleged technical malversation against Aquino and his budget chief Florencio “Butch” Abad over the savings impounding mechanism DAP, some practices of which were outlawed by the Supreme Court.

After she retired as Supreme Court justice, Morales was appointed by Aquino as Ombudsman in 2011. Aquino announced Morales’ appointment in his 2011 State of the Nation Address. RAM/rga

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