GUTIERREZ RESIGNED TO HER IMPEACHMENT BY HOUSE COMMITTEE
MANILA, MARCH 15, 2011 (STAR) By Pia Lee-Brago - Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is resigned to her fate in the House committee on justice, which, she claimed, has "railroaded" the impeachment complaints against her and is rushing their transmittal to the Senate.
"As far as the committee on justice in House (is concerned), it's railroaded already. I hope for the best," Gutierrez told a news forum.
"Sa lahat ng proseso nagmamadali sila. Meron pang plenary pero meron na silang mga prosecutors, hindi ba? How many steps ahead masyado nagmamadali sila sa pagdadala ng kaso sa Senado (They're rushing all the procedures. They already even have prosecutors even ahead of a plenary, right? They are aching to transmit the complaints to the Senate)," she said.
"I hope the rest of the members, the rest of the congressmen will decide on the basis of the evidence and their conscience," she added.
The House committee on justice, chaired by Rep. Niel Tupas, voted to declare the two impeachment complaints against Gutierrez as having "sufficient grounds."
Gutierrez said she is still hopeful that independent-minded lawmakers in the House and Senate would be fair and impartial to her especially during the plenary voting.
"I don't think the Senate can be railroaded and I don't think also that the entire House of Representatives can be railroaded," she said.
She questioned the motive of Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee, for presenting a "partial" committee report on the plea bargaining agreement between the Ombudsman and accused plunderer former military comptroller Carlos Garcia.
In a press briefing after the report was released, Guingona said there was probable cause to impeach Gutierrez for betrayal of public trust for entering into a plea bargain agreement with Garcia.
"Hindi ko malaman nga bakit nagkaron ng ganun presscon hindi pala nakapirma ang majority of the members. Ano ang intention non at napakatindi naman ng presentation? Anong purpose non? (I don't know why there was such a press conference. The majority of the senators did not even sign the report. What's the purpose?) So that the people would turn against me?"she said.
"Sinasabi meron ng marching orders (from Malacañang). Why should they use the marching orders for me to be convicted? So what's going to be their basis, public opinion?" she asked.
Fairness
"I appeal to media, to everyone, to be fair and be balanced in the reporting," she told The STAR in an exclusive interview.
Despite the administration's declaration of dislike of her, Gutierrez said she is thankful for President Aquino's allowing her to keep her post during the impeachment process.
"Because according to him, I am innocent until proven guilty. I am glad to know that he realizes that," Gutierrez said.
"It is clear that the purpose is to besmirch my reputation and turn the public against me," she said referring to the Blue Ribbon committee's release of its initial report.
He said her detractors "are doing everything to malign me, to put be down, accuse me of so many things before the eyes of the public."
"I think the overwhelming majority will be judicious and independent minded and will decide on the basis of law and evidence," she said.
She admitted that she is saddened by the turn of events.
"I'm not greatly affected, I can still work. I just bear in mind that I am innocent. This impeachment case will not kill me, I see it as a challenge, and if and when I am cleared it will make me stronger," she said.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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