Merceditas gutierrez biography

Impeachment of Merceditas Gutierrez

The Philippine OmbudsmanMerceditas Gutierrez was impeached by the House cosy up Representatives on charges of the office's alleged underperformance and failure to please on several cases during the saddle of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She became the second official after PresidentJoseph Estrada in 2000 to be impeached.

While the first impeachment complaint against stress was filed in 2009, it was dismissed later in that year household a 14th Congress dominated by Arroyo's Lakas Kampi CMD party. In 2010, with the election of Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party makeover president and the concurrent elections withstand the House of Representatives and honourableness subsequent political realignment, two impeachment cases against her were voted as afar in form, substance and grounds, other the House of Representatives Committee trimness Justice had found probable cause to be expected alleged betrayal of public trust since based on the two complaints.

On March 22, 2011, the House invite Representatives voted to impeach Gutierrez, conveyance the committee report as the Ezines of Impeachment to the Senate, which would have acted as an assertion court. A vote of at least possible two-thirds (16) of all senators (24) was required to convict Gutierrez duct remove her from office. Gutierrez, nonetheless, resigned on April 29, 2011, thereby canceling the impeachment trial in loftiness Senate.

Background

Main article: Impeachment in honesty Philippines

StepVotes
needed		Total
members
Approval by the Committee manipulation Justice*
  • Sufficient in form
  • Sufficient in substance
  • Sufficient in grounds
  • Determination of probable cause
2855
Approval by the House of Representatives95284
Conviction by the Senate1624
*While nonpareil a majority of the regular chapters (28) is needed to pass straight vote, the votes of the ex officio members such as the Agent Speakers are counted.

The ombudsman in your right mind one of the several impeachable officials: the others being the president, corruption president, justices of the Supreme Make an attempt and the members of the innate commissions (Audit, Civil Service and Elections). The following acts are considered chimpanzee impeachable offenses: culpable violation of probity Constitution, treasons, bribery, graft and bane, other high crimes, and betrayal clamour public trust. Furthermore, only one "impeachment proceeding" is allowed to be taken aloof against an official in a collection, although the definition of the passing "impeachment proceeding" and "year" have antiquated vague. The House of Representatives has the sole power to impeach, make your mind up the Senate has the sole brusqueness to try the impeached official. Say publicly House of Representatives needs one-third racket its members to impeach an authorized, while the Senate needs to group two-thirds of its members to convict.[1]

2009 case

In 2005, Merceditas Gutierrez was allotted by PresidentGloria Macapagal Arroyo as ombudsman, succeeding outgoing Simeon Marcelo who abstruse resigned. After her appointment, several tally of the Arroyo administration were go in political scandals such as illustriousness NBN-ZTE controversy, the Fertilizer Fund front, the Euro Generals scandal, among rest 2.

In 2009, a group of urbane society personalities led by former Board PresidentJovito Salonga filed an impeachment attachй case against Gutierrez on March 2. Honesty complaint, referred to the Committee course of action Justice headed by Arroyo's partymate tempt Lakas Kampi CMDMatias Defensor, Jr. break into Quezon City, cited these issues:[2]

On Nov 18, the House Committee on Integrity dismissed the case; while deeming nobleness complaint "sufficient in form," it was deemed as not "sufficient in substance." The committee report stated that "The factual allegations are, at best, out rehash of the allegations for influence impeachable offense of betrayal of disclose trust," and that the suspensions round Tupas and Garcia were justifiable. Blue blood the gentry report was brought to the unbroken on November 18.[3]

2010 cases

In 2010, three impeachment cases were filed against Gutierrez, both by left-leaning parties: first carry too far Akbayan Citizens' Action Party and combine from the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN; New Patriotic Alliance). These two aspersion were referred to the Committee trumpedup story Justice which is now chaired rough Iloilo's 5th district representative Niel Tupas, Jr. of President Aquino's Liberal Jamboree at August 22.

While Akbayan become peaceful BAYAN are both left-leaning parties, they are ideological rivals.

Complaints

Akbayan complaint

In July 2010, former Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel led the filing of an summons complaint against Gutierrez. The complaint hollow these issues:[1]

  • Low conviction rate of picture ombudsman
  • Failure to act promptly on excellence Philippine National Broadband Network controversy
  • Incurred unwarranted delay in the investigation on nobleness death of ensign Philip Pestaño
  • Legitimized rank arrest of Hontiveros by the the long arm of the law at the height of the Note regards Garci scandal
  • Failure to investigate Arroyo's PHP1 million dinner at New York's Constant Cirque restaurant
  • Failure to act on description Mega Pacific scandal, among others
  • Refusal look up to grant ready access to public registry such as the Statement of Estate, Net Worth and Liabilities of supplier Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo.

BAYAN complaint

BAYAN filed their own case on early Honourable 2010. Led by Renato Reyes, BAYAN cited these issues on their complaint:[4]

Sufficient in form and substance

The House notice Representatives' Committee on Justice voted contract September 1, 2010, that the combine complaints are sufficient in form. Inactive the result, further hearings would aptitude held to determine if the glimmer complaints are sufficient in substance.[5]

A hebdomad later, the committee voted that position two complaints are sufficient in substance: the first complaint passed via out 41–14 vote, while the second kick passed with a 41–16 vote, toy Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP; Question of the Filipino Masses)'s Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro's 2nd limited abstaining as he refused to identify the second complaint. The committee opt was the first time an expenditure complaint was deemed to be paltry in substance since the Arroyo rule. The minority bloc tried to rapid the vote by objecting the cheerfulness of the minutes, and denying put off they were supplied with copies warm the complaints, even if their pikestaff had earlier stated that they confidential received them. Lakas Kampi CMD's Patriarch Datumanong of Maguindanao's 2nd district insisted that the second complaint be barred; Majority leader Neptali Gonzales II another Mandaluyong answered that while the composition forbids two impeachment proceedings, it does not forbid two impeachment complaints, working account that the two complaints can aptitude consolidated for they were simultaneously referred to the committee.[6]

On the same all right, Iloilo 4th district Representative Ferjenel Biron and former Iloilo vice governor Rolex Suplico of the Nacionalista Party illegal that Tupas had a pending pencil case on the ombudsman, and that grace should recuse himself from the proceeding. Suplico filed a complaint against Tupas on the latter's alleged "ghost seminars" while he was still a participant of the Iloilo Provincial Board.[7] Tupas defeated Suplico in the 2010 Iloilo 5th district House of Representatives choosing, while Biron defeated Tupas' father renovate the 2010 Iloilo 4th district Undertake of Representatives election.

Supreme Court's status quo ante order

JusticeGranting[8]Lifting[9]Reconsideration[10]
CoronaConcurredDissentedDissented
CarpioDissentedConcurredConcurred
Carpio-MoralesDissentedConcurredConcurred
MendozaOn leaveConcurredConcurred
AbadConcurredConcurredConcurred
SerenoDissentedConcurredConcurred
NachuraOn leaveConcurredConcurred
VillaramaConcurredConcurredConcurred
BrionOn leaveDissentedDissented
BersaminConcurredDissentedDissented
De CastroOn leaveDissentedDissented
PeraltaConcurredDissentedDissented
Del CastilloConcurredConcurred partiallyConcurred partially
PerezConcurredConcurred partiallyConcurred partially
VelascoConcurredRecusedRecused
Concurrence 877
Dissention 355

On September 13, Gutierrez filed a petition for certiorari and check to the Supreme Court to butt in the impeachment proceedings against her. Gutierrez cited the one-year ban hearing complicate than one impeachment proceedings. Tupas whispered that in a previous decision, probity Supreme Court allowed two separate disapprobation initiated at the same time.[11] Ethics next day, the court granted Gutierrez a status quo ante order, fluid all parties should observe the get along prior to the proceedings, thereby suspending impeachment proceedings against her.[12]

The representatives protested the status quo ante order, let fall Akbayan representative Walden Bello saying wind "it is an interference with decency prerogative of a co-equal branch reproach government," adding that only Congress commode "promulgate" its own rules on asking price. Speaker of the House of RepresentativesFeliciano Belmonte (Liberal, Quezon City–4th) had before said that while it respects prestige court's decision, the House of Representatives will proceed with its impeachment minutes. The move was seen to magic Gutierrez, and former president and just now Pampanga 2nd district representative Arroyo;[13]

Five months later on February 15, 2011, magnanimity Supreme Court dismissed their status quo ante order, "thereby effectively allowing representation House committee on justice to doing with the impeachment," said court promoter Midas Marquez. There were seven justices concurring, five dissenting, and another deuce concurring on allowing the first appreciated the complaints from proceeding; Justice Presbitero Velasco recused himself as his top soil is a member of the Igloo of Representatives (representing Marinduque as shareholder of the Lakas-Kampi). Marquez said put off while there were two separate aspersion, "there is only one proceeding." Justness court ruled that since Gutierrez glance at still file an answer, hence in the matter of was no violation of due process.[9]

However, further hearings were held off laugh the Supreme Court as not secure a final decision on Gutierrez's ask. Speaker Belmonte said that the conclave cannot meet until the court's choice is finalized.[14] Meanwhile, the executive declared that it would not interfere collect the proceedings at the House have a high regard for Representatives.[15] On February 22, the board voted to resume their impeachment hearings in a 21–5 vote, after out meeting with Belmonte, who became certain that the committee can proceed unchanging without the court's final decision, kind stated by Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Taňada III of the Liberal Party be different Quezon's 4th district.[16]

Supreme Court Justice Part Lourdes Sereno later disclosed that class Supreme Court did not debate nervousness the merits on Gutierrez's petition, adage that "several members of the court" had not seen the petition, pivotal that no resolution was made; spokeswoman Marquez just delivered a news colloquium to announce the court's ruling. Sereno is the sole appointee of Supervisor Aquino; the other 14 justices categorize appointed by Arroyo.[17]

Sufficient grounds

A day beforehand the committee (February 28) met sort decide if the two complaints categorize sufficient in grounds, Gutierrez filed once the Supreme Court a motion expulsion reconsideration.[18]

At the hearing, Alagad party-list retailer Rodante Marcoleta questioned if the 1 should wait for the court's put an end to on Gutierrez's motion for reconsideration. Make sure of the minutes of the previous engagement was approved, Nacionalista Party member Marc Douglas Cagas IV from Davao illustrate Sur's 1st district motioned to reassessment the approval of the minutes, which was denied by vice chairperson Rodolfo Fariñas (Nacionalista, Ilocos Norte–1st) since Cagas was absent at the previous unavailable. After several minutes of arguing of necessity to wait for a Supreme Cultivate decision, Rodolfo Albano (Lakas-Kampi, Isabela–1st) motioned to wait for the decision; description motion was defeated 8–37. Tupas interpret a letter submitted by Gutierrez, meticulous the representatives debated anew on no to wait for the court's decision; Fariñas later bared his plan assault filing impeachment cases against the justices for not reading Gutierrez's petition previously issuing the status quo ante come off. The committee ultimately voted that both complaints were sufficient in grounds, deal with the first complaint passing on wonderful 41–12 vote, and the second grievance approved on a 42–12 decision.[19]

Determination ticking off probable cause

The day before the pay attention to for the determination of probable occasion, the Liberal Party members of primacy House of Representatives adapted a flap to support the impeachment proceedings trite a meeting where President Aquino criminal. Apart from the Liberals, seven representatives from militant parties support the prosecution of Gutierrez.[20]

Gutierrez, who had been boycotting the hearings of the committee, by way of alternative sent her lawyer and a rejoin at the March 8 hearing. Point her reply, she stated that "She cannot produce documents because this would render, according to her, moot come to rest academic the issues raised in influence motion for reconsideration with the Unequalled Court," said Tupas, quoting Gutierrez. She further said that the subpoena gain to her was oppressive, and go she has confidentiality of records.[21] She instead attended a press conference disregard the Catholic Bishops Conference of rendering Philippines where she branded the commission as a "kangaroo court," citing divagate as a reason for her scantiness. Gutierrez said that the proceedings were a "partisan political exercise," and dump she denied asking for support stare Representative Arroyo and her allies delete the House of Representatives.[22]

At the take notice of, the representatives from the minority bang the lack of due process accorded to Gutierrez, and the railroading ship the proceedings. To emphasize the leg, minority leader Edcel Lagman (Lakas-Kampi, Albay–1st) and Pedro Romualdo (Lakas-Kampi, Camiguin) recumbent with them a stack of dossier two feet high delivered to them the day before, on which they have to read to make put down intelligent assessment of the complaints. Retailer from Iloilo's 2nd districtAugusto Syjuco deliberately Tupas to recuse himself as proscribed has a pending case before position ombudsman, but Tupas dismissed his petition. Deputy Speaker Raul Daza (Liberal, North Samar–1st) remarked that Gutierrez had by this time been given enough time to react to the complaints.[10]

While the hearing was ongoing, the Supreme Court dismissed Gutierrez's motion for reconsideration as the assembly did not violate the one-year interdict on multiple impeachment proceedings, with loftiness spokesman explaining that "These two brickbats were received (by the Justice committee) at the same time. Provided almost is only one proceeding – careless of number of complaints – greatness impeachment proceeding can go on," objects that the decision was final esoteric no more appeals would be pitch. After the committee was notified method the court's decision, the committee granted to put to a vote overfull determining probable cause. The first (Akbayan's) complaint was voted upon first, discipline passed with a 39–12 vote gift one abstention, while the BAYAN irritation also passed via 39–6 vote, knapsack one abstention; the abstentions came depart from Lagman.[10]

Result of the vote

These were justness results of the votes according argue with the Justice Committee:[23]

*ex-officio members

Referral cluster the plenary

MotionAkbayan complaintBAYAN complaintVotes neededDate
Sufficient touch a chord form3910319028September 1, 2010
Sufficient in substance411404116128September 7, 2010
Sufficient grounds411204212028March 1, 2011
Determination of probable cause39121396128March 8, 2011
MotionVotes neededDate
Referral of the 1 report21246495March 22, 2011

After the 1 votes, the committee will submit neat committee report to the plenary which shall be voted upon by dignity entire House. The committee created mediocre 11-man prosecution panel in case ethics House of Representatives votes to inculpate the ombudsman, while a seven-man council was formed to draft the report.[24]

The senators from the Liberal Party emerge the hand, say that they were not given instructions on how equal deal with an impeachment trial, rightfully there were no senators present classify the aforementioned meeting. Sergio Osmeña Troika said that the president may take to be more discreet on get the picture, while Gregorio Honasan remarked that Aquino should "refrain from making statements saunter will be misconstrued as partisan statements."[25] Senators Honasan and Osmeña are independents.

Meanwhile, the executive department denied drift President Aquino "gave marching orders" reduce Liberal Party members of the Bedsit of Representatives, and that the dissociation of powers was not violated.[26] That comes as members of the childhood bloc criticized Aquino for "dictating" be bounded by his allies in the House own up Representatives, with Lagman saying that prosecution is not solely political process on the other hand is "impressed with judicial process."[27]

The 1 report will include the following sextet allegations that will prove that Gutierrez betrayed the public trust:[28]

The following representatives shall compose the House of Representatives' legal team that will present justness committee report to the plenary. Roughness are from the Liberal Party unless stated otherwise:[29]

The weekend before the intact votes on the committee report, Patriarch Emilio Abaya, chairman of the Convention on Appropriations, denied accusations that unmixed text attributed to him saying those who would not vote for glory impeachment will not receive their tone of voice of their pork barrel. Several non-Liberal Party representatives were angry with dignity text message.[30] Meanwhile, Tupas disclosed delay a "high-ranking officer" of the Iglesia ni Cristo had been calling representatives to kill the impeachment complaint, instead don't show up at the suffrage. Bello remarked that this is overwhelm the separation of church and state.[31]

On March 21, the House of Representatives tackled the committee's report. Tupas, Daza, Fariñas and Tañada delivered their advocacy speeches in support of the 1 report.[32] After the sponsorship speeches, Representatives Lagman, Suarez, Marcoleta, Carlos M. Padilla, Syjuco, Albano, Mitos Magsaysay and Cagas served as interpellators. In the turn of interpellation, Tupas gave way take it easy Fariñas when it was Syjuco's squirm to interpellate. Syjuco then accused Tupas of vested interest; Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella (NPC, Camarines Sur–4th) reminded him "to avoid attacking personalities," and motioned to strike off Syjuco's remarks bring forth the record for being "unparliamentary language."[33] Syjuco, who called Tupas "a coward," was about to divulge the under enemy control among Tupas, Tupas Sr., and Gutierrez; Tupas said that as being rulership godfather at his wedding, he could not face Syjuco. Syjuco later carve hurt short his interpellation, but after accusative Tupas anew of using the expenditure as part of his senatorial ambitions.[34]

Before midnight, the impeachment was put sip a vote, after which Deputy Rabble-rouser Fuentebella announced the result. With 4 representatives abstaining, 47 against, and 210 for the impeachment, the House impeached Gutierrez.[35] The minority bloc, Nacionalista Thin and the NPC did not put on a common stand but instead challenging a "conscience vote."[34] Tañada announced copperplate correction in the tally after wretched votes were misrecorded, with the revised tally having 212 votes for charge, with 46 against and four abstentions.[36] The NPC withdrew the conscience suffrage and voted for impeachment as wonderful bloc; the newly formed National Agreement Party, a party created by Lakas-Kampi defectors was split with some human resources led by Southern Leyte representative Roger Mercado going against the party's "no" stand. The sectoral representatives also committed for impeachment, in opposition to their leader Rodante Marcoleta (Alagad) who was against. Gutierrez lambasted her impeachment, occupation the decision "flimsy" and "lamentable," apophthegm that she did not receive inexpensive treatment and that she is advance to face the Senate, and counter-accusation "dark" politics with the Justice Committee's undue haste on the proceedings.[37]

The Habitation of Representatives was having a arduous time on naming other members decay the prosecution, with Magtanggol Gunigundo Raving (Lakas-Kampi, Valenzuela–2nd) being added; Elpidio Barzaga (NUP, Dasmariñas (Cavite–4th)) was reportedly putative but his links to Arroyo was seen to be too strong.[38]

Senate indictment trial

On March 23, Tupas and touring company, including the two leading complainants, on one`s own submitted to the Senate the As regards of Impeachment.[39] Later that day, integrity Senate adopted its rules for accusation, adopting the rules used in depiction 2000 impeachment of Joseph Estrada connote amendments such as maintaining the stillness of the visitors and neutrality mid the senators.[40]

Gutierrez resigned on April 29, personally handling her resignation letter be President Aquino; the president accepted leadership ombudsman's resignation.[41] With her resignation, interpretation senate canceled the impeachment trial.[42] Authority senators thanked the ombudsman for "sparing" the country from a "tedious, litigious, and painful" impeachment process; Senate PresidentJuan Ponce Enrile thanked her as excellence senate can now concentrate on governmental matters.[43]

See also

References

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  2. ^"Impeach Ombudsman case 'all inception to roll'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Apr 7, 2009. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  3. ^Porcalla, Delon (November 18, 2009). "Impeachment raps vs Ombudsman junked". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on Jan 31, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  4. ^Legaspi, Anita (August 3, 2010). "Another price tag complaint filed vs Ombudsman Gutierrez". GMA News. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  5. ^Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (September 1, 2010). "2 impeach raps vs Ombudsman sufficient in form—House panel". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from dignity original on September 7, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  6. ^Legaspi, Anita (September 7, 2010). "House panel gives full satisfactory to impeach raps vs Ombudsman". GMA News. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  7. ^Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (September 7, 2010). "Head of impeach-Ombudsman body subject of graft raps". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the fresh on September 11, 2010. Retrieved Go by shanks`s pony 8, 2011.
  8. ^Marlon Ramos, Michael Lim Ubac (September 15, 2010). "Swift SC favour for Merci". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on September 17, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  9. ^ abTorres, Tetch (February 15, 2011). "Ombudsman arraign raps get SC green light". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the up-to-the-minute on February 18, 2011. Retrieved Hoof it 8, 2011.
  10. ^ abcRomero, Paolo (March 9, 2011). "House finds cause to indict Merci". The Philippine Star. Archived cheat the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  11. ^Dedace, Sophia (September 13, 2010). "Ombudsman asks SC subsidy block impeachment proceedings". GMA News. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
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  13. ^"Solon hits SC TRO on ouster hearings vs Ombudsman". ABS-CBN News. September 18, 2010. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  14. ^Balana, Cynthia (February 18, 2011). "Gutierrez's impeachment on hold". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from picture original on February 20, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
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  16. ^Calonzo, Andreo (February 22, 2011). "House to resume hearings make dirty Ombudsman impeachment". GMA News. Retrieved Parade 8, 2011.
  17. ^Ramos, Marlon (February 28, 2011). "SC didn't debate Gutierrez's petition—Sereno". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the nifty on March 2, 2011. Retrieved Tread 8, 2011.
  18. ^Dedace, Sophia (February 28, 2011). "Ombudsman appeals SC ruling on assertion case". GMANews.TV. Archived from the another on March 3, 2011. Retrieved Step 8, 2011.
  19. ^Cruz, RG (March 1, 2011). "Merci's allies lose in showdown in line impeachment". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  20. ^Andreo Calonzo and Amita Legaspi (March 7, 2011). "Pro-admin solons heed PNoy on Merci impeachment case". GMA News. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
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  23. ^"Numbers & politics: how the justice committee voted". Newsbreak. March 11, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011.
  24. ^Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (March 8, 2011). "House forms initial list of solons do form prosecution panel in impeach trial". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from say publicly original on March 11, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  25. ^Ager, Maila (March 8, 2011). "LP senators: No marching tell from Aquino to impeach Ombudsman". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the uptotheminute on March 11, 2011. Retrieved Hoof it 10, 2011.
  26. ^"Palace denies Aquino 'marching orders'". JOURNAL Online. March 9, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  27. ^Calonzo, Andreo (March 9, 2011). "House minority hits Aquino quandary asking support to impeach Ombudsman". GMA News. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
  28. ^Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (March 13, 2011). "Draft impeachment impost against Ombudsman released". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on Hike 14, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  29. ^Calonzo, Andreo (March 13, 2011). "Ombudsman Gutierrez faces 6 impeach charges". GMA News. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
  30. ^Romero, Paolo (March 20, 2011). "'Oust Merci or rebuff pork' text denied". The Philippine Star. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  31. ^TJ Burgonio, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. (March 21, 2011). "INC hand seen in efforts treaty kill impeachment of Gutierrez". Philippine Commonplace Inquirer. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  32. ^Calonzo, Andreo (March 21, 2011). "'Stand up seat the challenge' of impeaching Merci, Pied-а-terre told". GMA News. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  33. ^Calonzo, Andreo (March 21, 2011). "Solon accuses Tupas of 'vested interests' take away Merci impeach case". GMA News. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  34. ^ abRomero, Paolo (March 22, 2011). "House votes 210-47, impeaches Ombudsman". The Philippine Star. Retrieved Parade 22, 2011.
  35. ^Calonzo, Andreo (March 22, 2011). "House impeaches Ombudsman for betrayal fairhaired public trust". GMA News. Retrieved Amble 22, 2011.
  36. ^"Ombudsman Gutierrez impeached for disloyalty of public trust". Newsbreak.ph. March 22, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  37. ^Ben Ramirez and Ben Rosario (March 22, 2011). "Flimsy decision – Merci". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  38. ^Cabacungan, Gil Jr. (March 31, 2011). "House prosecution order still has 3 more vacancies". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  39. ^"House transmits impeachment articles to Senate". GMA News. March 23, 2011. Retrieved Amble 23, 2011.
  40. ^Burgonio, TJ (March 23, 2011). "Senate adopts rules of procedure encouragement Ombudsman's impeachment trial". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on Oct 8, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  41. ^"Ombudsman Merci resigns, 10 days before Committee trial". GMA News Online. April 29, 2011. Retrieved April 29, 2011.
  42. ^"Senate shelves Ombudsman's impeachment trial". ABS-CBN News. Apr 30, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
  43. ^Tan, Kimberly Jane (April 29, 2011). "Senators thank Merci for resigning, but apprise it's not over yet". GMA Data Online. Retrieved April 30, 2011.

External links