House to give Gutierrez ‘more time’ to defend anti-impeach move before SC

With Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez asking the Supreme Court to defer the oral arguments on her petition stopping an impeachment move against her, the chair of the Lower House justice committee said it will not block her motion. “Just out of courtesy to the Ombudsman for her to have more time to read our comment before the oral arguments, we will partly agree to resetting (the date)," Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, chairman of the House justice committee, said in a text message to GMANews.TV on Friday. The House panel headed by Tupas has been handling the impeachment complaints filed by two groups against the Ombudsman. Tupas insisted however that the new SC schedule should be not later than October 5, “considering the urgency of the case and we want the status quo ante lifted as soon as possible since it has no legal and factual basis." Earlier in the day, Gutierrez filed a very urgent motion before the SC asking that the oral argument on her anti-impeachment petition, scheduled on September 30, be moved to October 10. Former Supreme Court Associate Justice Vicente Mendoza and the Solicitor General will be representing the Lower House in the oral arguments. (See: Ex-SC justice to represent House in oral arguments on Ombudsman impeachment) Before the oral arguments, the House is expected to submit to the High Tribunal its reply to the status quo order, where it will insist its Constitutional mandate to push through with the impeachment proceedings. (See: House preparing reply disputing SC power over impeach cases) The House justice committee earlier found the impeachment complaints filed by former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros and various progressive groups filed against Gutierrez sufficient in form and substance. (See: House panel gives full okay to impeach raps vs Ombudsman)—Amita O. Legaspi/JV, GMANews.TV