Merci refuses to engage PNoy in word war

(Updated 9:16 p.m.) Citing the spirit of the Lenten season, impeached Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez refused to engage President Benigno Aquino III in a word war over what she called his attacks against her. In a statement, Gutierrez branded the attacks against her, including those from Aquino, as baseless and unjust. "Despite the open call of the President to impeach me and his calling on the people, especially young students, to support the impeachment proceedings against me, I would not engage him in a word war before the public as this would only demean both of us, especially in this season of Lent," she said in the statement posted on her office's website. "Despite all that he has said and done, I maintain my deep respect for the President," she added. Malacanang, meanwhile, described Aquino’s tirades against Gutierrez as "statement of concerns" and denied that the President is subjecting the Ombudsman to "trial by speech." "It’s just a statement of the concern of the President on his anti-corruption efforts," said presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda at a press briefing Monday. "Nae-emphasize rin po rito kung bakit po kailangan nating ayusin ang prosecution aspect ng Ombudsman because we believe that magiging sagabal talaga ito sa prosecution. We want to make sure that lahat ng kasong ipina-file namin ay malalakas," he added. Gutierrez said she had chosen to be silent so far because she has "deep respect to the institution that the President represents." On various occasions, Aquino indicated he was "at war" with Gutierrez, and had openly voiced support for her ouster. His latest call came Sunday, when he delivered a speech before graduating students of the University of the Philippines. But Gutierrez pointed out the case against her is now with the Senate, which she said "should be allowed to do its job without any interference or pressure." "I am willingly submitting myself before the Senate as an impeachment court not only because I am confident that I will be vindicated in the end but also because the Senate as an institution should be protected against any perceived pressure or partiality," she added. Gutierrez also said institutions must be preserved and protected and not demeaned and destroyed. Otherwise, she said "we go back to tyranny and dictatorship where the rule of those in power reigns supreme over reason and the rule of law." The Senate is expected to convene as an impeachment court on May 9. Lacierda denied that Aquino's speeches were meant to influence the possible decision of the senators who will sit as judges in the impeachment court. "I think ang mga senator-judges, they have their own independent thinking. They will be basing their judgment based on evidences that will be presented in the Senate impeachment court," he said. — with Amita O. Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News