Party-list reps urge Aquino to rally for Ombudsman's impeachment

Militant party-list lawmakers on Tuesday urged President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to rally his House allies in pushing for the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. At a press conference, the party-list lawmakers expressed apprehension on the perceived "backtracking" of Aquino allies on the issue. These lawmakers were: Bayan Muna Reps. Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares, Gabriela Reps. Luzviminda Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus, Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano, Kabataan Rep. Raymond Palatino, and Act Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio. The lawmakers believe it will not be difficult to impeach the Ombudsman because the complaints filed against her showed her alleged betrayal of public trust and violation of the 1987 Constitution. However, the lawmakers said they were bothered by the Aquino administration’s "soft stance" on the issue of the Ombudsman's impeachment. “Parang may pag-atras sa critical position na alisin si Merceditas Gutierrez. Pangako yan ng Pangulo and yet ang hina ng signal, may problema. Dapat gabayan niya (Aquino) at ayusin ang LP dahil hindi acceptable ang ganyan," Casiño said during the press conference. Ilagan believed the problem lies in the loyalty of the ‘new’ Liberal Party (LP) members. “Ang problema sa LP, karamihan dating Lakas members. So dapat itong mga Lakas na nag-LP ipakita naman nila yung kanilang loyalty by supporting the impeachment complaint. Ninety heads lang ang kailangan. President Noy should stand above this," she said. In a text message to GMANews.TV, Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tanada III, LP spokesman, said they “have not met to discuss the impeachment." The party-list representatives said the impeachment complaint could succeed if Aquino and his allies would muster the political will needed in pushing for the impeachment of the Ombudsman. They said only 90 signatures of endorsement are needed for the articles of impeachment to be sent to the Senate for trial. The House justice committee is set to discuss on Wednesday morning the impeachment complaints filed against Gutierrez. The lawmakers will have to decide if they will consolidate the documents which were separately filed by former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros Baraquel and progressive groups. “It is incumbent upon the President and the LP leadership to ensure that the impeachment complaints succeed. Ombudsman Gutierrez’ removal from the office remains the litmus test of President Aquino’s promise to hold former Pres Arroyo and her cohorts accountable for their crimes," Casiño read from the lawmakers' joint statement. Casiño said if the House leadership cannot come up with the 90 signatures needed, it must at lease ensure that the complaints are consolidated, given a fair hearing, and voted upon based on their merits. “The new leadership, especially the President, is now in a position to ensure not a tyranny of numbers but a proper hearing and resolution of the case which was denied us in the previous Congress. We hope they do not disappoint our people," he said. – VVP/RSJ, GMANews.TV