ABS-CBNNews.com
March 2, 2011
MANILA, Philippines – A Liberal Party senator joined calls for Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to resign or risk being kicked out of office through impeachment.
In a statement, Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said Gutierrez should follow the example set by former US president Richard Nixon and resign instead of tarnishing the image and reputation of the office she holds.
“She has damaged the institution by clinging to it like a leech. Mahiya naman siya at magbitiw na lang kung may natitirang kahihiyan pa siya sa kaniyang sarili. Nababoy ang tanggapan ng Ombudsman dahil sa kaniyang kapabayaan at pagbabalewala sa kaniyang sinumpaang tungkulin,” he said.
Pangilinan said an impeachment trial of the present Ombudsman in the Senate will bring the legislative mill to a standstill.
The House of Representatives justice committee voted on Tuesday morning that there are sufficient grounds in the 2 impeachment complaints filed against Gutierrez.
In her manifestation, Akbayan Rep. Kaka Bag-ao said there is probable cause to impeach Gutierrez because she is “unfit to continue” as the head of a public office.
She said Gutierrez performed dismally over the years. Citing several reports, the conviction rate of the Ombudsman was a mere 14.4% in 2008, compared to 55% in 2007.
Reports also show that she was only able to convict 1 senior official per year in the last four years, Bag-ao said.
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