PRESS STATEMENT
0918-912-0137, 415-5455
13 July 2010

Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez has nothing to prove or disprove as long as she disposes of cases with judiciousness and impartiality as the regularity of her actions is presumed under pertinent laws and jurisprudence.

It there are valid causes of action against the Ombudsman, the concerned persons must file the necessary impeachment complaints or court pleadings.

Conviction by publicity should be avoided.

It should be recalled that the impeachment complaint filed against the Ombudsman last year was dismissed by the House Committee on Justice and the dismissal was upheld by the Plenary.

There is a possibility that virtually the same “causes of action” will be re-filed.

The Ombudsman is a judicial officer who is entitled to sufficient discretion in the adjudication of cases.

She may commit errors of judgment like a judge or justice but is not punishable for honest mistakes.

In the same token, legislators are not accountable for the enactment of a statute subsequently declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.