PNS — MALACAÑANG wants Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez out.
Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the administration doubts Gutierrez will pursue corruption charges against the Arroyo administration, adding that there are several options to remove her from office.
“We have already mentioned our skepticism towards her past decisions,” Lacierda said.
He said Gutierrez can be removed through impeachment, early retirement and by questioning the legality of her term of office. Gutierrez said her term ends in December 2012 yet but there is also a school of thought that her term expired in October 2009 because she is only supposed to serve the unexpired term of her predecessor.
“The Ombudsman is an impeachable officer, but again let me state, we are studying all the options. Wala pa kaming nadedesisyunan dun, kung ano gagawin na-ming pasya du’n sa Ombudsman,” Lacierda said.
Lacierda said the Pa-lace welcomes the filing of charges but lamen-ted that it took the Ombudsman four years after the Senate committee on agriculture which conducted an inquiry in aid of legislation made the recommendation.
“Sinasabi naming dahil may malapit na relasyon si Ombudsman Gutierrez kay Pangulong Arroyo kaya di natin makukuha ang hustisya dito sa kasalukuyang Ombudsman. That’s why we needed the Truth Commission to be formed to make sure there will be a tight case,” he said.