Palace to Ombudsman critics: Prove case with solid evidence

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang on Tuesday challenged the critics of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to show proof to back up the impeachment complaints they filed against her. In a text message to reporters, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said evidence, and not numbers, matters in an impeachment case. "Filing an impeachment case is easy, but proving it is one thing. In other words, it is all a matter of evidence," Remonde said. Remonde's remark came after five party-list congressmen endorsed the 33-page impeachment complaint filed against Gutierrez last Monday. The five lawmakers - Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño (Bayan Muna), Liza Maza and Luzviminda Ilagan (Gabriela), and Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis) - filed their resolution of endorsement Tuesday morning before House Secretary General Marilyn Barua Yap. Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel of Akbayan party-list had earlier endorsed the complaint. An impeachment complaint needs to be backed by one-third of the House's 238 members before it can be transmitted to the Senate. Last Monday, former Cabinet officials and civil society leaders led by former Senate President Jovito Salonga filed an impeachment complaint against Gutierrez, whom they accused of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution. Remonde expressed confidence that Gutierrez could withstand the allegations hurled against her. “We're sure, as a lawyer, the Ombudsman can defend herself and being a constitutional officer, the Palace recognizes her own independence and competence to defend herself," he said. Denial In a press conference Monday afternoon, Gutierrez denied the allegations against her, describing them as “misleading and false." “I deny that there is betrayal of public trust. I have not done anything wrong," she said, adding that the impeachment complaint smacks of politics. Gutierrez also said one of those who instigated the filing of the charges is former Congressman Nereus Acosta, against whom she recently ordered the filing of charges before the Sandiganbayan She also lashed out at Salonga, who she said lost important documents during his stint as head of Presidential Commission on Good Governance (PCGG), and questioned the motive of Baraquel, who has earlier announced that she would run for the Senate in 2010. “I hate being in the limelight. I don’t want publicity. I am not running for public office like Baraquel," Gutierrez said. But in their joint statement Tuesday, the five militant lawmakers decried Gutierrez's reaction to the filing of the complaint, describing her response as "hysterical" and indicative of her "arrogance and immaturity." "She has to resort to these personal attacks since she cannot refute the strong bases of the complaint," they said. Leave of absence Also on Tuesday, Sen. Francis Pangilinan dared Gutierrez to take an indefinite leave while an impeachment case filed against her is being deliberated upon. He said this will ensure that the official would not take advantage of her powers to "bully" her critics. "She should take an indefinite leave effective immediately. The Ombudsman is only giving her critics even more ammunition by resorting to bullying tactics against her complainants. She should not be allowed to intimidate and threaten complainants using the power of her high office," he said. Gutierrez immediately countered Pangilinan, saying she has no plans to satisfy her critics by stepping down from her office. "I am not going to resign. I am not taking a leave of absence, despite calls by presidential wannabes," Gutierrez said in an article posted on the Office of the Ombudsman’s website. First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo, who was Gutierrez’s classmate at the Ateneo Law School, also came to her rescue. In a report on QTV 11's Balitanghali, GMA News’ Kara David quoted Mr. Arroyo as saying that those seeking the impeachment of Gutierrez should leave her alone because she is performing her duties well. Mr. Arroyo also denied having close ties with Gutierrez, who he said was only his batchmate at the Ateneo Law School. "We were not even in the same class. We were year mates but we are not (mag-kaklase [classmates]. She’s just doing her job, just let her alone, leave her alone," Mr. Arroyo said. - GMANews.TV