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MANILA, Philippines—There's still a long, tough road ahead for the proponents of the Ombudsman's impeachment, but at least they're closer to getting to former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to account for her alleged misdeeds.
One of the impeachment complainants, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes, said that the overwhelming vote to send Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to impeachment trial for betrayal of public trust was also a move toward taking the former president to task for her past actions.
“We are one more step closer... to holding Gloria Macapagal Arroyo accountable. We are ever more determined to see this through to its logical conclusion in the Senate,” Reyes said, adding that he was looking forward to facing off with Gutierrez in the Senate.
Those pushing for Gutierrez' ouster say that she has to be removed from office because while she is there, Arroyo's prosecution would not prosper.
But in his statement, Reyes also agreed with earlier pronouncements that Gutierrez' trial at the Senate is going to be difficult for those who want to unseat her.
Several senators have expressed doubt about the grounds cited in the impeachment complaint. A total of 16 votes are needed to convict Gutierrez.
Reyes also said allies of the former president, whom Gutierrez was accused of protecting through her inaction in several cases, are expected to contest the impeachment case in the Senate.
But Reyes said the impeachment prosecutors from the House of Representatives would get the full support of the complainants, who would help prepare the witnesses and evidence.
He also said more details of the Ombudsman's supposed shortcomings should be expected to come out at the trial.
“In the Senate, we have more time to present evidence and witnesses, unlike in the committee hearings at the lower house,” he said. “More details of Gloria’s scams and the Ombudsman’s inaction will surface.”
He also said those who voted against impeaching Gutierrez should be “ashamed.” He scoffed at their allegation that the pork barrel was used as a tool to force lawmakers to vote for impeachment, saying they did the very same thing during earlier attempts to impeach Arroyo.
“They still can’t get over Gloria. They complain of the alleged withholding of the Priority Development Assistance Fund of anti-impeachment lawmakers, when in fact that was their practice when they were the majority in the House of Representatives. How ironic that they make a big fuss about it now,” he said.
Gutierrez was impeached early Tuesday with a 212-46 vote, and the numbers backing her impeachment were more than double the required 95 votes.
Lawmakers have hailed the impeachment move as historic, noting that it was the first time an official was impeached with no shortcuts, since all of the procedures were observed.
Gutierrez had accused the House justice committee of prejudging her and not affording her due process. She also said that she expected to get a fair trial at the Senate.
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One of the impeachment complainants, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes, said that the overwhelming vote to send Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to impeachment trial for betrayal of public trust was also a move toward taking the former president to task for her past actions.
“We are one more step closer... to holding Gloria Macapagal Arroyo accountable. We are ever more determined to see this through to its logical conclusion in the Senate,” Reyes said, adding that he was looking forward to facing off with Gutierrez in the Senate.
Those pushing for Gutierrez' ouster say that she has to be removed from office because while she is there, Arroyo's prosecution would not prosper.
But in his statement, Reyes also agreed with earlier pronouncements that Gutierrez' trial at the Senate is going to be difficult for those who want to unseat her.
Several senators have expressed doubt about the grounds cited in the impeachment complaint. A total of 16 votes are needed to convict Gutierrez.
Reyes also said allies of the former president, whom Gutierrez was accused of protecting through her inaction in several cases, are expected to contest the impeachment case in the Senate.
But Reyes said the impeachment prosecutors from the House of Representatives would get the full support of the complainants, who would help prepare the witnesses and evidence.
He also said more details of the Ombudsman's supposed shortcomings should be expected to come out at the trial.
“In the Senate, we have more time to present evidence and witnesses, unlike in the committee hearings at the lower house,” he said. “More details of Gloria’s scams and the Ombudsman’s inaction will surface.”
He also said those who voted against impeaching Gutierrez should be “ashamed.” He scoffed at their allegation that the pork barrel was used as a tool to force lawmakers to vote for impeachment, saying they did the very same thing during earlier attempts to impeach Arroyo.
“They still can’t get over Gloria. They complain of the alleged withholding of the Priority Development Assistance Fund of anti-impeachment lawmakers, when in fact that was their practice when they were the majority in the House of Representatives. How ironic that they make a big fuss about it now,” he said.
Gutierrez was impeached early Tuesday with a 212-46 vote, and the numbers backing her impeachment were more than double the required 95 votes.
Lawmakers have hailed the impeachment move as historic, noting that it was the first time an official was impeached with no shortcuts, since all of the procedures were observed.
Gutierrez had accused the House justice committee of prejudging her and not affording her due process. She also said that she expected to get a fair trial at the Senate.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]