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Tag: Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez

Aquino’s hard sell a turnoff

Published by Ellen on March 24, 2011

Speaking in a press conference as a private citizen?
President Aquino should be told there are times when things are better left unsaid.

If he is worried that some people underestimate his intelligence and competence and thinks that by indiscriminately sharing information and his thoughts, he will earn respect as a leader, he is mistaken.

One flabbergasted political observer described him as “a male Kris Aquino.” And that’s not flattering at all for a leader.

A day after the House of Representatives approved in an overwhelming vote the impeachment of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, the President appealed to the people: “As the Senate prepares to try the Ombudsman, I urge you to support this (impeachment) and other efforts to fight corruption.”

Reminded of the principle of separation of powers in a republican state which the Philippines is, Aquino said, “I may be a president but I am also a citizen of this republic.”

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Alerto: hindi titigil ang kampo ni Arroyo

Published by Ellen on March 22, 2011

Ang nangyari noong Lunes (Martes na nga pala ng medaling araw) ay hindi maisip mangyari kung si Gloria Arroyo pa ang nasa kapangyarihan. Iba na talaga ang panahon.

Sabi nga ni Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, ilang impeachment complaint na na kasama siya sa pagsulong para mabigyan hustisya ang taumbayan na pinagsamantalahan ng mga nasa kapangyarihan ngunit walang nangyari dahil hawak ni Arroyo ang mga kongresista.
Iba na talaga ang panahon.

Maganda ang sinabi ni Anak Pawis Rep. Rene Mariano na ang impeachment complaint laban kay Gutierrez ay laban ng mga magsasaka na siyang ninakawan nina Arroyo at ng kanyang mga kasama na ang mga opisyal sa Department of Agriculture. Isa sa kaso sa Articles of Impeachment ay ang P728 milyon na anomalya sa abono.

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Merceditas Gutierrez impeached

Published by Ellen on March 21, 2011

Click here for Sun Star’s list of Impeachment voting

In a historic vote of 212 “Yes”, 46 “No”, and four abstentions Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was impeached by the House of Representatives for betrayal of public trust.

After eight hours of deliberation, the House vote was completed at 12:13 a.m of March 22, 2011.

This is the first time in the country’s history that an anti-graft chief has been impeached.

The Articles of Impeachment, which will be transmitted to the Senate for trial, contained in House Bill 1089 cites inaction on the following cases : fertilizer scam; $329.5 million controversial National Broadband Network-ZTE telecommunications deal; Mega Pacific poll automation contract; Euro-Generals cases; 1995 death of Navy Ensign Phillip Pestaño; low conviction rates.

Under Section 3, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, the impeachment case against the Ombudsman would have to get a one-third vote of all House members (95 ) before it can be transmitted to the Senate for trial.

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House Justice Cmte finds probable cause to impeach Gutierrez

Published by Ellen on March 8, 2011

In a vote of 39 out of 55 members, the House Committee on Justice found probable cause to impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.

Nine members voted against the motion and one, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, abstained.

In a related case, The Supreme Court dismissed with finality in a vote of 7-5-2, the motion for reconsideration of Gutierrez to stop the House from proceeding with the impeachment proceedings against her.

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