Statement of Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte on the impeachment complaints against Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez

Statement of Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte:
On the House Justice Committee’s decision on the Impeachment Complaints against Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez

[Released on March 1, 2011]

Accountability evades no one, and thus we welcome the decision of the House Committee on Justice finding the grounds in the impeachment complaints against Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez as sufficient.


This is a momentous occasion for Philippine governance, as it is the first time an Ombudsman faces impeachment proceedings for the betrayal of public trust due to her inaction on the cases put forward in the complaints.

The constitutional process is already unfolding, and as the head of a constitutionally independent office, the Ombudsman must weigh her options in light of these historic proceedings.

We encourage our fellow Filipinos to follow the proceedings closely—remaining informed of the charges and evaluating the evidence to be presented—so that we may all fulfill our roles in our collective responsibility to protect the interests of our country.