Impeachment complainant says justice not yet achieved despite Merci resignation

April 29, 2011

Press statement

One of the complainants in the impeachment of Merceditas Gutierrez said that justice has not yet been achieved with the announced resignation today of the controversial Ombudsman even as it welcomed the move as a positive development.

On Friday morning, it was reported that Gutierrez went to President Aquino’s office to personally submit her resignation, which Aquino accepted. The resignation is reportedly effective May 6.

“Justice can only be realized if Ms. Gutierrez will be made to account for her inaction on the many cases of corruption and human rights abuses committed by the Arroyo administration. This was not answered by her resignation although it opens up a fresh opportunity to pursue her prosecution before a new Ombudsman that will replace her”, said Fr. Joe Dizon, spokesperson of the Pagbabago! People’s Movement for Change. Pagbabago! was one of the groups that filed the impeachment complaint against Gutierrez.

Dizon added that the next big challenge is for President Benigno Aquino III to find someone with an irrefutable integrity and unblemished track record to replace Gutierrez. “The next Ombudsman will not only go after his or her predecessor but more importantly will also take up again the various crimes against the people committed by Gutierrez’s patron – Mrs. Gloria Arroyo”, the Pagbabago! leader said.

The reform group urged the people to remain vigilant in the coming days and continue to monitor the developments in the impeachment of Gutierrez as it warned that “political compromises” may have been involved in the unexpected turn of event. “We just have to be cautious. Gutierrez used to be very adamant about not resigning and nobody saw this (resignation) coming. What did she tell Pres. Aquino when she gave her resignation letter? We have to remain vigilant”, Dizon pointed out. (End)