Merci to subordinates: Support next Ombudsman

Outgoing Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez on Wednesday asked her subordinates to rally behind her soon-to-be named replacement once she steps down of her office on Friday. Gutierrez became emotional as she thanked her agency’s employees during her farewell speech, which coincided with the Office of the Ombudsman’s founding anniversary. “Kung sino man ang umupo rito ay ating igagalang, tutulungan at tatangkilikin… Umaasa ako na under the new leadership, you will continue to pursue what I have started," she said. Gutierrez resigned from her post last Friday, 10 days before she faces a Senate impeachment trial for alleged betrayal of public trust.

The Ombudsman was impeached by the House of Representatives last March 22 for her alleged inaction on five high-profile cases during the administration of former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, with whom she is closely associated. In her speech, Gutierrez also thanked her employees for understanding her “shortcomings" during her five-year stint in the office. “Sa aking mga opisyales na iiwan ngayon, sana ay ipagpatuloy ninyo ang pagtatrabaho ng may katatagan. Magkaroon kayo ng pagpupursigi na kung ano man ang aking pagkukulang ay pwede niyo namang gampanan," she said. She likewise vowed to continue monitoring events in the Office of the Ombudsman once her resignation takes effect on Friday. “As a private citizen, I will continue to follow kung ano man ang mangyayari rito sa opisina ng Ombudsman at sa ating bayan. Many, many thanks to all of you and I will miss you," she said. With Gutierrez’s resignation, the Judicial and Bar Council is now tasked to screen and recommend her replacement, who will be appointed by President Benigno Aquino III for a fresh seven-year term. Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro will serve as acting Ombudsman until Gutierrez’s replacement is appointed. — KBK, GMA News