This picture taken on August 23, 2016 shows Philippine Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales posing for a picture at the Office of the Ombudsman in Manila. Noel Celis, AFP

MANILA – The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption on Thursday said it has started preparing moves to impeach Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.

VACC legal counsel Ferdinand Topacio said there are grounds to have Morales impeached such as the anti-graft body’s supposedly slow response to the group and other NGOs’ numerous complaints.

Topacio also cited the “many cases dismissed by the Sandiganbayan due to delays in the Ombudsman, as well as the uneven application of the law” as some of the grounds for impeachment against Morales.

“In response to our plan to file an impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who dared us to file the same, we wish to state that the VACC is taking up the challenge,” Topacio said in a statement.

According to Topacio, a legal panel has been constituted, to be led by former Negros Occidental Congressman Jacinto Paras, to prepare a comprehensive impeachment complaint within 15 days from today, January 26.

“The VACC will also coordinate with other cause-oriented groups like Bayan Muna and Citizens’ Crimewatch, as well as Party List groups, to mobilize support in the House of Representatives for the proper endorsement of the said impeachment complaint,” Topacio said.

Morales, a Ramon Magsaysay awardee and a former Supreme Court justice, was appointed Ombudsman by then-President Benigno Aquino III in 2011.

Under Morales, the Office of the Ombudsman has filed numerous cases in connection to the pork barrel scam.