Solons to new Ombudsman: We're watching you closely

Lawmakers who led the impeachment bid against former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said Tuesday they would not hesitate to initiate similar moves against newly appointed Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales if she fails to perform her function. Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo, vice chair of the House justice panel which approved the impeachment case against Gutierrez earlier this year, said the lower chamber will closely monitor Carpio-Morales’ performance of her duties. “Congress will not hesitate to review the job of the Ombudsman like we did in the past few months," he said at a press briefing Tuesday. Quimbo said he has “high expectations" for the new Ombudsman, having worked with her several times. “May reputasyon siya of probity and independence... I hope she galvanize[s] the demoralized institution," he said. Dasmarinas City Rep. Elpidio Barzaga, one of the lawmakers who was supposed to be part of the prosecution panel against the former Ombudsman, said Carpio-Morales should perform her duties well to avoid suffering the same fate as Gutierrez. “If in the future, Congress will have to [do] the same, then we will do the same so that this constitutionally mandated institution will perform its duties," he said. President Benigno Aquino III officially announced Carpio-Morales’ appointment as the new Ombudsman during his second State of the Nation Address on Monday. The former Supreme Court justice replaced Gutierrez, who resigned days before she was expected to face an impeachment trial at the Senate for alleged betrayal of public trust. Carpio-Morales vowed to remain independent during her seven-year term as Ombudsman. She added that she did not receive any other instructions from Aquino prior to her appointment. — JE, GMA News