A Call for Reform: Fire Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez

A few days ago Rep. Mikey Arroyo showed to the world how corrupt, devious, and immoral their family has become when he miserably tried to defend his SALN declarations during an interview on GMA 7 with Winnie Monsod and Arnold Clavio. If we were in a different country, Arroyo would be facing charges and cases from the office of the Ombudsman right now. However instead of filing cases, the Ombudsman does the unthinkable – they release stricter guidelines for obtaining SALN’s. Instead of defending the Filipino people, the office of the Ombudsman would rather shield corrupt officials from getting exposed? Is this how low our justice system has sunk? Whatever to the basic ideals of justice, decency, and integrity?

This blog post is a call for reform! This blatant disrespect of our intelligence and morals is so offensive that I can’t help but voice out my disgust and anger towards Gutierrez and her office. However I think this will just fall on deaf ears since I believe that the current administration will do everything in their power to keep Merceditas Gutierrez on board since she’s actually protecting their interests over that of the Filipino people.

It’s just depressing to see how the system is being abused by the administration. The office of the Ombudsman is supposed to be a bastion of truth but now it’s nothing more than a shell of it’s former self. I remember Senator Chiz Escudero saying that one of his biggest complaints against this administration is that it has successfully degraded and destroyed a lot of institutions in government just to protect their crimes. This is definitely one of the biggest examples we will ever see.

Rep. Mikey Arroyo’s interview clearly shows that his family has been stealing and hoarding tax payer’s money over the past few years. What’s sad is that no one is actually taking action against it – and the people that should be going after him are actually the ones protecting him.

Ms. Gutierrez, have you no conscience? Aren’t you afraid on how history will judge you because of what you’ve done or failed to do? Does your penchant for protecting the corrupt know no bounds? Have you no shame? If you’re too insensitive to the Filipino people, don’t forget that your sins will be the sins that your children and their children’s children because they carry your name. I am begging you to prove me wrong. Please give us a reason to believe again in the office of the Ombudsman.

Here’s the article on Inquirer.Net:

MANILA, Philippines — Leftwing group Kilusang Mayo Uno slammed the Office of the Ombudsman for issuing new rules on the release of statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs), saying it is only meant to protect corrupt public officials.

In a statement, KMU said the new rules, which require “legitimate” reasons for requesting SALNs, run contrary to its instituted task of ensuring transparency and investigating high-level corruption in government.

The group was referring to Memorandum Circular No. 1 issued June 17 by Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. It revises guidelines for obtaining access to copies of SALNs.

“The Ombudsman should stick to its mandate of investigating wrongdoings committed by the highest officials in the country and stop being an errand girl of Malacañang,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.

“It says that its new rules are aimed at protecting everyone, from the president of the country to the lowly janitor. We know better: These were created precisely to protect the Arroyo family,” Labog said.

The new rule, he added, is also meant to stop the media from scrutinizing the lifestyle of public officials.

“It says that its new rules did not arise because of the public outcry over the content of investigative reports on the wealth of the Arroyos. We know better: Come on! The Ombudsman cannot even deceive the public that it’s unbiased towards the Arroyos,” he said.

The memorandum listed the following conditions SALNs could be released:

• When the requested SALN is needed in school for study purposes;

• When the same is disseminated to the general public by news and communication media; and

• Upon a court subpoena duly signed by a presiding judge in a pending criminal case or in the case of another quasi-judicial agency.

It is cases like this that shows how critical the 2010 election is for the nation. We need a President that will not turn a blind eye to things like this. We need a moral force leading our country. This leads me to Ninoy Aquino’s famous line in his letter to his only son, Noynoy: Live with honor and follow your conscience.

To the Arroyo family: history will not be kind to you unless you realize how equally important integrity is with a good economy. It’s funny how the Press Secretary says that GMA is getting low ratings because of how loud the opposition is. But you can’t really blame the opposition! The Arroyo family is giving them so many bullets to use against them. Where there is smoke, there is fire.

I will not vote for a President, VP, Senator, or any local government official who will not support moves to investigate and maybe even prosecute the Arroyo family for their irregularities while they were in power. That much I am sure.

Related Posts:

• The Arroyo Virus
• Mikey Arroyo is a liar
• Mikey Arroyo buys Liquor during Ondoy
• Aga Mulach speaks out against bad governance
• Thank God for Winnie Monsod