Bulatlat.com will provide live updates on the 2nd day of the House Committee on Justice hearings on the impeachment cases filed against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
House Committee on Justice will issue subpoena duces tecum to acquire all records pertaining to the fertilizer fund scam, the EuroGenerals case, and the Comelec-Megapacific deal.
Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino says Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez violated the right to speedy disposition of cases.
Ferdinand Gaite of COURAGE: “Kami ay naninindigan na sya (Ombudsman) ay maimpeach. Paano na ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa sistema ng katarungan?”
Gus Lagman testified on the P1.3-B Comelec-Megapacific deal. Ferdie Gaite of COURAGE presenting additional information on the EuroGenerals case.
Kilusang Magbubulid ng Pilipinas secretary-general Danilo Ramos: “Pondo sa abono sa palay, inabono sa kampanya ni Gloria Arroyo noong 2004.”
Danilo Ramos, secretary-general of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, is presenting case on fertilizer fund scam.
Atty. Frank Chavez: “Impeachment is the only available forum to seek redress of grievances.”
Atty. Frank Chavez says Task Force Abono investigated House members who were implicated in the fertilizer fund scam. Rep. Tupas prohibited Chavez from disclosing names.
Atty. Frank Chavez: Gutierrez is protecting Gloria Arroyo, Jocjoc Bolante, et. al.
Atty. Frank Chavez on Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez: “She’s mastering the difficult art of doing nothing.”
Current witness is former solicitor-general Frank Chavez. He filed 4 plunder charges against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004. “Ombudsman has become a failed insitution,” Chavez said. Chavez served as solicitor-general during the administration of former president Corazon Aquino.
Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares: “Ayaw nyang imbestigahan, ayaw nyang kasuhan ang mga tiwaling opisyal. May pinipiling kasuhan at di-kasuhan ang Ombudsman.”
Renato Reyes of Bayan says that cases on human-rights issues were also ignored by the Ombudsman.
Renato Reyes of Bayan said that the Supreme Court (SC) nullified Comelec-Megapacific consortium automation deal. The SC ordered Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to investigate the deal as early as 2003. Reyes said the Ombudsman ignored the SC directive to file cases against Comelec executives. The Ombudsman filed a case against Comelec’s Rex Borra in 2006, but it later on absolved all Comelec officials.
Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes said that the Senate recommended the filing of criminal charges vs. General Eliseo dela Paz (Eurogeneral carrying 105,000 euros to Moscow in 2008). Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino said that, based on Sandiganbayan’s certification, no case filed by the office of the Ombudsman against indivisulas involved in the Eurogenerals case
According to the second complaint, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez manifested gross, inexcusable inaction & willful refusal to prosecute officials involved in fertilizer fund scam.
Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan: “Wala naisampang kaso sa mga inireklamo sa fertilizer fund scam. No case vs. Cito Lorenzo and Jocjoc Bolante.”
Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan: “Si Gutierrez ay nagtayo ng napakalaking pader na nagprotekta sa dating pangulong Arroyo.”
Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayn presents his affidavit. Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino questions Reyes’ motive in filing an impeachment case vs. Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayn will present voluminous evidences on the cases filed against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
Bayan Muna Rep. Casino: “Kaya naitayo ang office of the Ombudsman dahil napakatindindi ng pagnanakaw at korapsyon sa gobyerno.”
Witnesses for the second complaint include Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, counsels Frank Chavez and Jobert Pahilga, Danilo Ramos of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Ferdie Gaite of Courage and Gus Lagman.
The second complaint, to be endorsed by Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino, will include the P728M fertilizer fund scam, Euro Generals corruption and the P1.3B Comelec-Megapacific deal.
Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano and Bayan Muna Reps. Teddy Casino and Neri Colmenares will endorse the second complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez filed by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.
Military corruption whistleblower and former state auditor Heidi Mendoza seen inside the hearing room.
Felipe Pestano says Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez failed to act on his son’s case. Gutierrez dismissed the case due to lack of evidence and probable cause.
Felipe Pestano says his son, Navy ensign Philip Andrew Pestano, was allegedly murdered in 1995 after discovering corruption in the Navy.
Former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros testified on her complaint of ‘illegal arrest’ in 2006. Felipe Pestano, father of slain Navy ensign Philip Pestano, now testifying with regard to the first impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
Witnesses Felipe Pestano and former Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros to testify against Ombudsman.
Akbayan Rep. Bag-ao presenting case of the ‘arrest’ of former Rep. Risa Hontiveros, same period of detention of Batasan 6 solons.
Akbayan Rep. Kaka Bag-ao says Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez engaged in double standard implementation of the law and bias to former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former first gentleman Mike Arroyo.
Akbayan Rep. Kaka Bag-ao says Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez is guilty of inexcusable neglect of duty.
Davao del Sur Rep. Mark Cagas walks out of the hearing room. He voted against the impeachment.
Yesterday, 12 members voted against proceeding with the hearings on the impeachment cases filed against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. The other 11 are: Rodolfo Albano, Mark Leandro Mendoza, Martin Romualdez, Danilo Suarez, Georgidi Aggabao, Emilline Aglipay, Amelita Villarosa, Simeon Datumanong, Orlando Fua, Pedro Romualdo, and Arthur Yap.
Akbayan Rep. Kaka Bag-ao endorsing the first impeachment complaint filed by Risa Hontiveros et. al.
Legislators are now discussing the definition of ‘probable cause.’
The House Committee on Justice asks Atty. Anacleto Diaz to submit reply of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez on or before Friday.
Atty. Anacleto Diaz is buying time, asks the Committee on Justice for an extension until Monday to submit reply of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. The committee declines the request.
House Committee on Justice allowed Atty. Anacleto Diaz to present manifestation on behalf of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
24 House members are present. Committee on Justice declares a quorum.
This afternoon, farmers from the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas will present how Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez covered-up the P728-million fertilizer fund scam.
Witnesses on the Pestano case and the NBN-ZTE deal will present their evidences this morning before the House Committee on Justice.
The two complaints center on Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez’s palpable violation of the Constitution and the abuse of power by failing to act on cases.
House Committee on Justice to start clarificatory hearing on the impeachment cases filed against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. Witnesses are scheduled to present evidences.
SC Decision to Suspend Impeach Raps Vs Ombudsman Is A Move to Suppress the Truth
Actress Jodi Sta. Maria joins Migrante in demanding justice for OFW killed in Mongolia (Photo by Brett Jelinek / Bulatlat.com)
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