Flashcards Studio

A complaint is filed with the Office of the Ombudsman against a city mayor for alleged procurement irregularities in a local public works project. After a formal investigation, the Ombudsman issues an order dismissing the administrative case for lack of probable cause, citing insufficient evidence in the record. The complainant challenges the Ombudsman’s dismissal by filing a petition for certiorari under Rule 65, asserting grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction. The Ombudsman defends that the ruling is a proper exercise of discretion and not subject to review on the merits.
(a) Identify the controlling doctrine governing judicial review of Ombudsman administrative proceedings.
(b) Distinguish between grave abuse of discretion and mere error of judgment, and indicate which standard applies in this context.
(c) Apply the doctrine to the facts: should the Supreme Court grant relief via certiorari, and why or why not?