Papua New Guinea's Ombudsman Commission has warned leaders facing criminal charges or leadership tribunal proceedings to step down from public office and clear their names first.
A view of the government benches in Papua New Guinea's parliament. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The acting chief ombudsman, Phoebe Sangetari, says leaders have a constitutional duty to ensure they do not demean their office or position, or to allow their integrity to be called into question.
In a statement to the newspaper, The National, Ms Sangetari says her office has been closely watching events of the past two weeks involving leaders who have been arrested and tussle within the country's police force.
She says the public is keeping a close on events as they unfold, and the commission stands ready to take appropriate action if it suspects any breach of the Leadership Code.
