MANILA, March 8, 2011—Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez must take a leave of absence once the impeachment trial against her starts, a Catholic bishop said.
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iniguez said stepping down provisionally is the prudent thing to do for Gutierrez while her case is being heard in Congress.
“If you are on trial, especially if you are in such a position, there’s a need for delicadeza, that you at least offer your leave of absence,†Iniguez said Tuesday.
The head of the Committee on Public Affairs of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines is hoping that the impeachment process would be treated fairly.
“For me, as long as the process is being followed, it is alright,†he said.
Meanwhile, also on Tuesday, the Supreme Court has junked Gutierrez’s motion for reconsideration in connection with the impeachment complaints she is facing.
In the Lower House, the justice committee approved the complaints for plenary vote after it found probable cause to oust Gutierrez from her post.
The controversial head of the government’s anti-graft body is under fire for allegedly sleeping on high-profile cases including that of her friend and former president Gloria Arroyo. [CBCPNews]
