Hontiveros to ombudsman: you want evidence, we will give you evidence
Akbayan says Gutierrez’s fighting posture unimpressive, only shows her audacity to
cling to power
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“Don’t worry, we will.”
This was the short response of AKBAYAN Party to Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez’s challenge to her critics
to present substantial evidence that she obstructed justice by abusing the power of her office.
The progressive party, which is currently the “reform-wing” of the Aquino government also advised Gutierrez to
focus her energy in preparing for the imminent impeachment complaint which the group will be filing before
congress opens.
Lately, Gutierrez started issuing fiery statements to her critics as a response to calls asking for her removal
from public office.
“Gusto niya ng ebidensiya, bibigyan naming siya ng ebidensya. Sana handa siya dito,” Hontiveros said.
“I don’t know who she is trying to impress with her fighting posture. Certainly, not the public who is sick and
tired of a ‘run of the mill’ office of the ombudsman under her leadership. At any rate, we advise her to focusher
energy instead in preparing for the case,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros also said there is nothing moving and inspiring about Gutierrez fighting posture. “It is distasteful
and offensive. It only shows her misplaced determination to cling to a position the people doesn’t want her to
keep anymore,” she said.
“I hope her passion in fighting this impeachment complaint was as intense as her fervor in curbing corruption.
Unfortunately, this is not the case,” Hontiveros quipped.
Earlier, Hontiveros said the government’s anti-corruption drive with Gutierrez as the ombudsman regressed to
pre-EDSA II/Desierto levels.
She said the ombudsman’s conviction rate under Gutierrez dropped from 55 % in 2007 to a dismal 14.43 % in
2008. In 2008, Hontiveros said the worst months were March with 5% conviction, May (3%) and June with 0%
conviction.
Hontiveros also underscored Gutierrez’s low net sincerity in fighting corruption. Citing a Social Weather
Stations survey, Hontiveros said the office of the ombudsman net sincerity in fighting corruption under
Gutierrez never exceeded single digits and could only compare to that of Aniano Desierto’s time.
In 2000 and 2001, during Desierto’s tenure, the ombudsman’s net sincerity was -5% and 7% respectively.
Desierto’s leadership of the ombudsman was reportedly seen as controversial. It was branded as
“ombudscam” by then Misamis Oriental Rep. Oscar Moreno on the flawed handling of the billion-peso tax
credit scam.
On the other hand, from 2006-2008, the ombudsman’s rating under Gutierrez was 6%, 9% and 4%, ratings
which were comparable to Desierto’s performance.
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Don’t prejudge Abad family, lady solon tells critics
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A House member today defended the presence of some members of Budget and Management Secretary
Florencio Abad’s family in appointive and elective government posts, citing their strong qualifications to these
positions.
Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano (2nd District, Davao City) said the Abads are people with proven capability and
solid academic backgrounds.
"They are the kinds of people sorely needed in public service and have in fact served in government with never
the slightest cloud of doubt about their integrity which is unassailable" said Garcia-Albano.
"Why should their being from one family be taken against them? Let's not prejudge them on this sole basis.
Performance is key here," she said.
Garcia-Albano issued the statement amid critics' claim that it was uncomfortable seeing one family getting
several important positions in government.
Former Batanes Rep. Florencio Abad Jr. was appointed budget secretary while his daughter Julia is the new
Presidential Management Staff head.
His son Luis is the chief of staff of Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima. Abad’s wife Henedina, who was
elected representative of Batanes, is expected to become the vice chair of the appropriations committee of the
House of Representatives, reports said.
Abad himself belied claims that his family has become all too powerful in the Aquino administration.
Abad said the PMS head of the President and CoS of DoF are essentially staffs of the principals while the
other position is a mere alter ego of the President. He said all three appointees were practically casuals who
may be removed anytime just for loss of confidence by their principals.
Abad said the "only real power is the elected representative, but she owes that to her constituents and is
accountable to them.”
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