Palace lawyers to probe Merci’s midnight appointments

Malacañang will look into the so-called midnight appointments made by impeached Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez whose resignation will become effective on May 6. Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning (PCDSP) Secretary Ramon "Ricky" Carandang said on Wednesday the Palace’s lawyers are now looking over the list of supposed midnight appointees. “Hindi ko alam ang implication nito (pero) pag-aaralan ito ng abogado sa loob ng Palasyo," Carandang said in an interview on dwIZ radio. Gutierrez handed over her resignation to Aquino on Friday last week, 10 days before the Senate impeachment trial against her was set to begin on May 9. After Gutierrez resigned, Malacañang asked the Judicial and Bar Council to recommend prospective replacements for Gutierrez. However, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares alleged that Gutierrez made several “midnight appointments" before submitting her resignation. Colmenares claimed that Gutierrez appointed eight assistant Ombudsmen, including the head of the fertilizer scam panel that drafted the charges against former Agriculture Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante. Meanwhile, Carandang indicated Malacañang is not keen on appointing Justice Secretary Leila de Lima as Ombudsman, saying Aquino is “happy" with De Lima’s performance at her post. De Lima had said she was not interested in the Ombudsman post. “Mukhang masaya si Pangulong Aquino sa ginagawa ni Sec. de Lima sa DOJ. Wala akong narinig na balitang lilipat siya mula DOJ," Carandang said. - VVP, GMA News