Kampanya sa ‘tuwid na daan’ dapat paigtingin daw ni PNoy ngayong nagbitiw na si 'Merci'

MANILA – Kahit nakaiwas sa impeachment trial, ikinatuwa pa rin ng mga kongresista ang biglang pagbibitiw sa puwesto ni Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez nitong Biyernes. Sa pagbibitiw ni Gutierrez, sinabi ni Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. na maitutuon na nang Kongreso ang kanilang atensiyon sa mahahalagang panukalang batas na kailangan ng bansa. “It’s a welcome development. We do not have to go through the entire impeachment trial, I mean, not just us but the whole country. This is a nerve-wracking trial. We now can proceed with other business, like important and urgent legislation. We can focus our attention and energies on this," ayon sa lider ng Kamara de Representante. Ang mga kongresista na kaalyado ng adminitrasyong Aquino ang nagsulong ng impeachment complaint laban kay Gutierrez. Inakusahan nila ang lider ng Ombudsman na inupuan ang mga mabibigat na kaso ng umano’y katiwalaan na naganap sa panahon ng administrasyon ni dating pangulong Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, kongresista na ngayon ng Pampanga.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV Para kay Aurora Rep. Juan Edgardo Angara, maituturing na tagumpay ng administrasyong Aquino ang pagbibitiw ni Gutierrez upang maisulong ang kampanya para sa malinis na pamamahala. “Definitely a victory for PNoy s administration because he said many times that the now former Ombudsman (Gutierrez) was an institutional stumbling block for his anti-corruption programs. Both houses of Congress can now concentrate on the job of legislation and pay attention to urgent national problems like the rising cost of living brought about by rising oil prices," ayon kay Angara. Saludo rin si Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo “Rudy" Farinas, sa ginawa ni Gutierrez pero sana daw ay ginawa ito ng dating Ombudsman ng mas maaga. “I have mixed reactions on the resignation of the Ombudsman. I salute her for doing the trouble of an impeachment trial. However, I wish she had done such at the earliest opportunity. As it is, I have not been able to visit my district or go on vacation due to our preparations for the trial," pahayag ni Farinas, vice chairman of the House committee on justice at kasama sana 11-man House prosecution panel na uusig kay Gutierrez. Bagaman nagbitiw na sa puwesto, sinabi ni House Minority leader Rep Edcel Lagman na lantad na ngayon si Gutierrez sa mga kasong kriminal na maaaring isampa ng mga kritiko nito. “One who retreats from a good fight does not deserve to be defended or supported. A resignation in the face of an impending impeachment trial, albeit shakily anchored, is not an honorable exit as it is an admission of culpability," ayon sa lider ng minorya. Dagdag pa niya, “The resignation of the Ombudsman pre-terminates the impeachment proceedings because the removal of the incumbent, which is the principal objective of an impeachment, does not anymore obtain. However, it does not spare her from criminal prosecution for malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance in office, once warranted." Itinuturing matinding sakripisyo ni House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Danilo Suarez, ang ginawang pagbibitiw ni Gutierrez. “She did the supreme sacrifice. She resigned because of the appeal of her family, particularly her mother, who is already old. She knows the impeachment process would be rigorous, it would be difficult, she wants peace of mind. It appears that she knows she will have to spend for litigation and she doesn’t have the resources. She and her lawyers are confident that she will get a clean bill of health, but she knew the procedure would be difficult," pahayag ni Suarez. Umaasa naman si Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Neri Javier Colmenares, kasapi rin ng 11-man House prosecution panel, na matino at may kredibilidad ang pipiliin ni Aquino na kapalit ni Gutierrez sa Ombudsman. “Ombudsman’s resignation will signal the prosecution of cases against (former) President Arroyo and subordinates. President Aquino should appoint Ombudsman with credibility, independence and track record of fiscalizer against graft and corruption," mungkahi Colmenares. - GMA News