Amendments to the impeachment rule is needed to expedite trial

We have filed Senate Resolution 441 which would allow “the Senators to immediately vote on whether or not the impeachment is sustained when the presentation of evidence and arguments by the parties on one article of impeachment is completed; and if the impeachment shall not be sustained by the votes of two-thirds of all the Members, the presentation of evidence for the next article of impeachment shall commence accordingly.”

The amendments proposed seek to make the impeachment trial of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez more efficient in the usage of both time and resources of the Senate. Based on records of previous impeachment trial, it took the Senate nearly three months to cover two of four articles. With six articles, it is possible that the trial could drag on for a year, thereby affecting the entire legislative performance of the Senate.

According to the rules of impeachment, “In the event that the prosecutors from the House of Representatives prove the case against Ombudsman Gutierrez in only one of the six articles, she will be formally removed from public office,” therefore, the Senate need not vote on all six articles of impeachment. If the Ombudsman has been convicted of one of the articles, the Senate may decide that subsequent votes on the remaining articles are unnecessary.

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez , do a Nixon and resign

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez should have the decency and just resign from office. She has tarnished the image and reputation of the office she holds. She has damaged the institution by clinging to it like a leech.

Mahiya naman siya at magbitiw na lang kung may natitirang kahihiyan pa siya sa kanyang sarili. Nababoy ang tanggapan ng Ombudsman dahil sa kanyang kapabayaan at pagbabalewala sa kanyang sinumpaang tungkulin.

In addition, her impeachment trial in the Senate will bring the legislative mill to a standstill. The legislative agenda of this administration will face delays if and when the Senate trial goes underway.

It would be best for the Ombudsman as an institution, for the nation, and for all of us if she just resigns and spares the nation the spectacle of a public trial.

The once-highly regarded, respected and feared office of the Ombudsman is no more. What we have left is an office that is a complete and total embarrassment to public office and service. For the sake of decency in public office she should just get out or be kicked out.