MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte's threats against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales amid a probe into his and his family's wealth has a "chilling effect" in the context of how government institutions work, according to a political analyst.

Lawyer Tony La Viña, former dean of the Ateneo School of Government, said Tuesday the President's pronouncements are tantamount to saying the Office of the Ombudsman cannot investigate him despite allegations that he kept hidden wealth.

"Your words (as president) actually have a chilling effect. That for me is what's problematic in what the President said because that was tantamount to saying, 'I am above the law. I'm above your jurisdiction. You can't investigate me,'" he told ANC.

• Duterte says will snub graft probe

The President previously said he is planning to create a commission that would probe alleged anomalies at the Office of the Ombudsman after the anti-graft body started looking into the Duterte family's bank transactions.

La Viña pointed out that the President does not have the authority to create a commission that will investigate an independent office like the Office of the Ombudsman. He said Duterte has the means to find out whether the Ombudsman has committed a wrongdoing.

"I don't think so in terms of a formal investigation. But the President certainly has the means to find out whether or not the Ombudsman is doing something wrong," he explained.

"Then he can file an impeachment complaint against the Ombudsman. For that commission to be the one to investigate and to make that decision on wrongdoing would be wrong, would be unconstitutional," he added.

La Viña said knowing the President, it is never certain if his statements are serious or not. But if Duterte pushes through with his threats against the Ombudsman, the lawyer said it might be a basis for an impeachment complaint against him.

Aside from the Ombudsman, President Duterte has also criticized Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who is currently facing an impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives.

La Viña said this approach by the President fosters division. "The overall approach is to basically foster resentment, foster disunity, foster confusion. That really means if you have 6 years of this, you will not accomplish much," he said.