Impeachment of Merceditas Gutierrez

The Philippine Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of the office's alleged underperformance and failure to act on several cases during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. She became the second official after President Joseph Estrada in 2000 to be impeached.

While the first impeachment complaint against her was filed in 2009, it was dismissed later in that year in a 14th Congress dominated by Arroyo's Lakas Kampi CMD party. In 2010, with the election of Benigno Aquino III of the Liberal Party as president and the concurrent elections to the House of Representatives and the subsequent political realignment, two impeachment cases against her were voted as sufficient in form, substance and grounds, and the House of Representatives Committee on Justice had found probable cause on alleged betrayal of public trust as based on the two complaints.

On March 22, 2011, the House of Representatives voted to impeach Gutierrez, sending the committee report as the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate which will act as an impeachment court. A vote of at least two-thirds (16) of all senators (24) is required to convict Gutierrez and remove her from office. However, Gutierrez resigned on April 29, 2011, thereby canceling the impeachment trial of the Senate.

Background

Step Votes
needed		Total
members
Approval by the Committee on Justice*
  • Sufficient in form
  • Sufficient in substance
  • Sufficient in grounds
  • Determination of probable cause
 28 55
Approval by the House of Representatives 95 284
Conviction by the Senate 16 24
*While only a majority of the regular members (28) is needed to pass a vote, the votes of the ex officio members such as the Deputy Speakers are counted.

The ombudsman is one of the several impeachable officials: the others being the president, vice president, justices of the Supreme Court and the members of the constitutional commissions (Audit, Civil Service and Elections). The following acts are considered as impeachable offenses: culpable violation of the Constitution, treasons, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, and betrayal of public trust. Furthermore, only one "impeachment proceeding" is allowed to be held against an official in a year, although the definition of the term "impeachment proceeding" and "year" have been vague. The House of Representatives has the sole power to impeach, while the Senate has the sole power to try the impeached official. The House of Representatives needs one-third of its members to impeach an official, while the Senate needs to muster two-thirds of its members to convict.[1]

2009 case

In 2005, Merceditas Gutierrez was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as ombudsman, succeeding outgoing Simeon Marcelo who had resigned. After her appointment, several figures of the Arroyo administration were involved in political scandals such as the NBN-ZTE controversy, the Fertilizer Fund scam, the Euro Generals scandal, among others.

In 2009, a group of civil society personalities led by former Senate President Jovito Salonga filed an impeachment case against Gutierrez on March 2. The complaint, referred to the Committee on Justice headed by Arroyo's partymate at Lakas Kampi CMD Matias Defensor, Jr. of Quezon City, cited these issues:[2]

On November 18, the House Committee on Justice dismissed the case; while deeming the complaint "sufficient in form," it was deemed as not "sufficient in substance." The committee report stated that "The factual allegations are, at best, a rehash of the allegations for the impeachable offense of betrayal of public trust," and that the suspensions of Tupas and Garcia were justifiable. The report was brought to the plenary on November 18.[3]

2010 cases

In 2010, two impeachment cases were filed against Gutierrez, both by left-leaning parties: first from Akbayan Citizens' Action Party and one from the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN; New Patriotic Alliance). These two complaints were referred to the Committee on Justice which is now chaired by Iloilo's 5th district representative Niel Tupas, Jr. of President Aquino's Liberal Party at August 22.

While Akbayan and BAYAN are both left-leaning parties, they are ideological rivals.

Complaints

Akbayan complaint

On July 2010, former Akbayan representative Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel led the filing of an impeachment complaint against Gutierrez. The complaint cited these issues:[1]

BAYAN complaint

BAYAN filed their own case on early August 2010. Led by Renato Reyes, BAYAN cited these issues on their complaint:[4]

Sufficient in form and substance

The House of Representatives' Committee on Justice voted on September 1, 2010 that the two complaints are sufficient in form. With the result, further hearings would be held to determine if the two complaints are sufficient in substance.[5]

A week later, the committee voted that the two complaints are sufficient in substance: the first complaint passed via a 41–14 vote, while the second complaint passed with a 41–16 vote, with Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP; Force of the Filipino Masses)'s Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro's 2nd district abstaining as he refused to recognize the second complaint. The committee vote was the first time an impeachment complaint was deemed to be sufficient in substance since the Arroyo presidency. The minority bloc tried to delay the vote by objecting the approval of the minutes, and denying that they were supplied with copies of the complaints, even if their staff had earlier stated that they had received them. Lakas Kampi CMD's Simeon Datumanong of Maguindanao's 2nd district insisted that the second complaint be barred; Majority leader Neptali Gonzales II of Mandaluyong answered that while the constitution forbids two impeachment proceedings, it does not forbid two impeachment complaints, adding that the two complaints can be consolidated for they were simultaneously referred to the committee.[6]

On the same day, Iloilo 4th district Representative Ferjenel Biron and former Iloilo vice governor Rolex Suplico of the Nacionalista Party disclosed that Tupas has a pending case on the ombudsman, and that he should inhibit himself from the proceedings. Suplico filed a complaint against Tupas on the latter's alleged "ghost seminars" while he was still a member of the Iloilo Provincial Board.[7] Tupas defeated Suplico in the 2010 Iloilo 5th district House of Representatives election, while Biron defeated Tupas' father in the 2010 Iloilo 4th district House of Representatives election.

Supreme Court's status quo ante order

How the justices voted
Justice Granting[8] Lifting[9]Reconsideration[10]
Corona Concurred Dissented Dissented
Carpio Dissented Concurred Concurred
Carpio-Morales Dissented Concurred Concurred
Mendoza On leave Concurred Concurred
Abad Concurred Concurred Concurred
Sereno Dissented Concurred Concurred
Nachura On leave Concurred Concurred
Villarama Concurred Concurred Concurred
Brion On leave Dissented Dissented
Bersamin Concurred Dissented Dissented
De Castro On leave Dissented Dissented
Peralta Concurred Dissented Dissented
Del Castillo Concurred Concurred partially Concurred partially
Perez Concurred Concurred partially Concurred partially
Velasco Concurred Inhibited Inhibited
Concurrence 8 7 7
Dissention 3 5 5

On September 13, Gutierrez filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition to the Supreme Court to stop the impeachment proceedings against her. Gutierrez cited the one-year ban hearing more than one impeachment proceedings. Tupas said that in a previous decision, the Supreme Court allowed two separate complaints initiated at the same time.[11] The next day, the court granted Gutierrez a status quo ante order, or all parties should observe the conditions prior to the proceedings, thereby suspending impeachment proceedings against her.[12]

The representatives protested the status quo ante order, with Akbayan representative Walden Bello saying that "it is an interference with the prerogative of a co-equal branch of government," adding that only Congress can "promulgate" its own rules on impeachment. Speaker of the House of Representatives Feliciano Belmonte (Liberal, Quezon City–4th) had earlier said that while it respects the court's decision, the House of Representatives will proceed with its impeachment proceedings. The move was seen to benefit Gutierrez, and former president and now Pampanga 2nd district representative Arroyo;[13]

Five months later on February 15, 2011, the Supreme Court dismissed their status quo ante order, "thereby effectively allowing the House committee on justice to proceed with the impeachment," said court spokesman Midas Marquez. There were seven justices concurring, five dissenting, and another two concurring on allowing the first of the complaints from proceeding; Justice Presbitero Velasco inhibited himself as his son is a member of the House of Representatives (representing Marinduque as member of the Lakas-Kampi). Marquez said that while there were two separate complaints, "there is only one proceeding." The court ruled that since Gutierrez can still file an answer, hence there was no violation of due process.[9]

However, further hearings were held off as the Supreme Court as not given a final decision on Gutierrez's petition. Speaker Belmonte said that the committee cannot meet until the court's decision is finalized.[14] Meanwhile, the executive announced that it would not interfere with the proceedings at the House of Representatives.[15] On February 22, the committee voted to resume their impeachment hearings in a 21–5 vote, after a meeting with Belmonte, who became convinced that the committee can proceed even without the court's final decision, as stated by Deputy Speaker Lorenzo Taňada III of the Liberal Party from Quezon's 4th district.[16]

Supreme Court Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno later disclosed that the Supreme Court did not debate on the merits on Gutierrez's petition, saying that "several members of the court" had not seen the petition, and that no resolution was made; spokesman Marquez just delivered a news conference to announce the court's ruling. Sereno is the sole appointee of President Aquino; the other 14 justices are appointed by Arroyo.[17]

Sufficient grounds

A day before the committee (February 28) met to decide if the two complaints are sufficient in grounds, Gutierrez filed before the Supreme Court a motion for reconsideration.[18]

At the hearing, Alagad party-list representative Rodante Marcoleta questioned if the committee should wait for the court's decision on Gutierrez's motion for reconsideration. After the minutes of the previous meeting was approved, Nacionalista Party member Marc Douglas Cagas IV from Davao del Sur's 1st district motioned to reconsider the approval of the minutes, which was denied by vice chairperson Rodolfo Fariñas (Nacionalista, Ilocos Norte–1st) since Cagas was absent at the previous meeting. After several minutes of arguing whether to wait for a Supreme Court decision, Rodolfo Albano (Lakas-Kampi, Isabela–1st) motioned to wait for the decision; the motion was defeated 8–37. Tupas read a letter submitted by Gutierrez, and the representatives debated anew on whether to wait for the court's decision; Fariñas later bared his plan on filing impeachment cases against the justices for not reading Gutierrez's petition before issuing the status quo ante order. The committee ultimately voted that both complaints were sufficient in grounds, with the first complaint passing on a 41–12 vote, and the second complaint approved on a 42–12 decision.[19]

Determination of probable cause

The day before the hearing for the determination of probable cause, the Liberal Party members of the House of Representatives adapted a position to support the impeachment proceedings at a meeting where President Aquino attended. Apart from the Liberals, seven representatives from militant parties support the impeachment of Gutierrez.[20]

Gutierrez, who had been boycotting the hearings of the committee, instead sent her lawyer and a reply at the March 8 hearing. On her reply, she stated that "She cannot produce documents because this would render, according to her, moot and academic the issues raised in the motion for reconsideration with the Supreme Court," said Tupas, quoting Gutierrez. She further said that the subpoena given to her was oppressive, and that she has confidentiality of records.[21] She instead attended a press conference of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines where she branded the committee as a "kangaroo court," citing that as a reason for her non-appearance. Gutierrez said that the proceedings were a "partisan political exercise," and that she denied asking for support of Representative Arroyo and her allies in the House of Representatives.[22]

At the hearing, the representatives from the minority hit the lack of due process accorded to Gutierrez, and the railroading of the proceedings. To emphasize the point, minority leader Edcel Lagman (Lakas-Kampi, Albay–1st) and Pedro Romualdo (Lakas-Kampi, Camiguin) brought with them a stack of documents two feet high delivered to them the day before, on which they have to read to make an intelligent assessment of the complaints. Representative from Iloilo's 2nd district Augusto Syjuco asked Tupas to inhibit himself as he has a pending case before the ombudsman, but Tupas dismissed his request. Deputy Speaker Raul Daza (Liberal, Northern Samar–1st) remarked that Gutierrez had already been given enough time to respond to the complaints.[10]

While the hearing was ongoing, the Supreme Court dismissed Gutierrez's motion for reconsideration as the committee did not violate the one-year ban on multiple impeachment proceedings, with the spokesman explaining that "These two complaints were received (by the Justice committee) at the same time. Provided there is only one proceeding – regardless of number of complaints – the impeachment proceeding can go on," adding that the decision was final and no more appeals would be accepted. After the committee was notified of the court's decision, the committee decided to put to a vote in determining probable cause. The first (Akbayan's) complaint was voted upon first, and passed with a 39–12 vote and one abstention, while the BAYAN complaint also passed via 39–6 vote, with one abstention; the abstentions came from Lagman.[10]

Result of the vote

These were the results of the votes according to the Justice Committee:[23]

*ex-officio members

Referral to the plenary

Summary of votation
Motion Akbayan complaint BAYAN complaint Votes needed Date
YNAYNA
Sufficient in form 39 1 0 31 9 0 28 September 1, 2010
Sufficient in substance 41 14 0 41 16 1 28 September 7, 2010
Sufficient grounds 41 12 0 42 12 0 28 March 1, 2011
Determination of probable cause 39 12 1 39 6 1 28 March 8, 2011
MotionYNAVotes neededDate
Referral of the committee report 212 46 4 95 March 22, 2011
Result of the plenary vote: for sectoral representatives, each box represents one representative, arranged alphabetically. A "yes" vote is colored yellow.

After the committee votes, the committee will submit a committee report to the plenary which shall be voted upon by the entire House. The committee created an 11-man prosecution panel in case the House of Representatives votes to impeach the ombudsman, while a seven-man committee was formed to draft the report.[24]

The senators from the Liberal Party on the hand, say that they were not given instructions on how to deal with an impeachment trial, as there were no senators present at the aforementioned meeting. Sergio Osmeña III said that the president may have to be more discreet on it, while Gregorio Honasan remarked that Aquino should "refrain from making statements that will be misconstrued as partisan statements."[25] Senators Honasan and Osmeña are independents.

Meanwhile, the executive department denied that President Aquino "gave marching orders" to Liberal Party members of the House of Representatives, and that the separation of powers was not violated.[26] This comes as members of the minority bloc criticized Aquino for "dictating" to his allies in the House of Representatives, with Lagman saying that impeachment is not solely political process but is "impressed with judicial process."[27]

The committee report will include the following six allegations that will prove that Gutierrez betrayed the public trust:[28]

The following representatives shall compose the House of Representatives' legal team that will present the committee report to the plenary. All are from the Liberal Party unless stated otherwise:[29]

The weekend before the plenary votes on the committee report, Joseph Emilio Abaya, chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, denied accusations that a text attributed to him saying those who would not vote for the impeachment will not receive their share of their pork barrel. Several non-Liberal Party representatives were angry with the text message.[30] Meanwhile, Tupas disclosed that a "high-ranking officer" of the Iglesia ni Cristo had been calling representatives to kill the impeachment complaint, or don't show up at the vote. Bello remarked that this is against the separation of church and state.[31]

On March 21, the House of Representatives tackled the committee's report. Tupas, Daza, Fariñas and Tañada delivered their sponsorship speeches in support of the committee report.[32] After the sponsorship speeches, Representatives Lagman, Suarez, Marcoleta, Carlos M. Padilla, Syjuco, Albano, Mitos Magsaysay and Cagas served as interpellators. In the period of interpellation, Tupas gave way to Fariñas when it was Syjuco's turn to interpellate. Syjuco then accused Tupas of vested interest; Deputy Speaker Arnulfo Fuentebella (NPC, Camarines Sur–4th) reminded him "to avoid attacking personalities," and motioned to strike off Syjuco's remarks from the record for being "unparliamentary language."[33] Syjuco, who called Tupas "a coward," was about to divulge the meeting among Tupas, Tupas Sr., and Gutierrez; Tupas said that as being his godfather at his wedding, he could not face Syjuco. Syjuco later cut short his interpellation, but after accusing Tupas anew of using the impeachment as part of his senatorial ambitions.[34]

Before midnight, the impeachment was put through a vote, after which Deputy Speaker Fuentebella announced the result. With 4 representatives abstaining, 47 against, and 210 for the impeachment, the House impeached Gutierrez.[35] The minority bloc, Nacionalista Party and the NPC did not have a common stand but instead had a "conscience vote."[34] Tañada announced a correction in the tally after some votes were misrecorded, with the revised tally having 212 votes for impeachment, with 46 against and four abstentions.[36] The NPC withdrew the conscience vote and voted for impeachment as a bloc; the newly formed National Unity Party, a party created by Lakas-Kampi defectors was split with some members led by Southern Leyte representative Roger Mercado going against the party's "no" stand. The sectoral representatives also voted for impeachment, in opposition to their leader Rodante Marcoleta (Alagad) who was against. Gutierrez lambasted her impeachment, calling the decision "flimsy" and "lamentable," saying that she did not receive fair treatment and that she is prepared to face the Senate, and blaming "dark" politics with the Justice Committee's undue haste on the proceedings.[37]

The House of Representatives was having a difficult time on naming other members of the prosecution, with Magtanggol Gunigundo I (Lakas-Kampi, Valenzuela–2nd) being added; Elpidio Barzaga (NUP, Dasmariñas (Cavite–4th)) was reportedly considered but his links to Arroyo was seen to be too strong.[38]

Senate impeachment trial

On March 23, Tupas and company, including the two leading complainants, personally submitted to the Senate the Articles of Impeachment.[39] Later that day, the Senate adopted its rules for impeachment, adopting the rules used in the 2000 impeachment of Joseph Estrada with amendments such as maintaining the silence of the visitors and neutrality among the senators.[40]

Gutierrez resigned on April 29, personally handling her resignation letter to President Aquino; the president accepted the ombudsman's resignation.[41] With her resignation, the senate canceled the impeachment trial.[42] The senators thanked the ombudsman for "sparing" the country from a "tedious, divisive, and painful" impeachment process; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile thanked her as the senate can now concentrate on legislative matters.[43]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Legaspi, Anita (2010-07-22). "Ex-Rep. Hontiveros leads 2nd impeachment vs Gutierrez". GMANews.TV. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  2. ↑ "Impeach Ombudsman case 'all set to roll'". INQUIRER.net. 2009-04-07. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
  3. ↑ Porcalla, Delon (2009-11-18). "Impeachment raps vs Ombudsman junked". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  4. ↑ Legaspi, Anita (2010-08-03). "Another impeachment complaint filed vs Ombudsman Gutierrez". GMANews.TV. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  5. ↑ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (2010-09-01). "2 impeach raps vs Ombudsman sufficient in form—House panel". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  6. ↑ Legaspi, Anita (2010-09-07). "House panel gives full okay to impeach raps vs Ombudsman". GMANews.TV. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  7. ↑ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (2010-09-07). "Head of impeach-Ombudsman body subject of graft raps". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  8. ↑ Marlon Ramos, Michael Lim Ubac (2010-09-15). "Swift SC mercy for Merci". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  9. 1 2 Torres, Tetch (2011-02-15). "Ombudsman impeach raps get SC green light". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  10. 1 2 3 Romero, Paolo (2011-03-09). "House finds cause to impeach Merci". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  11. ↑ Dedace, Sophia (2010-09-13). "Ombudsman asks SC to block impeachment proceedings". GMANews.TV. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  12. ↑ "SC suspends impeachment proceedings vs Ombudsman". 2010-09-14. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  13. ↑ "Solon hits SC TRO on ouster hearings vs Ombudsman". ABS-CBNNews.com. 2010-09-18. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  14. ↑ Balana, Cynthia (2011-02-18). "Gutierrez's impeachment on hold". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  15. ↑ Porcalla, Delon (2011-02-21). "Palace to keep hands off Gutierrez impeachment". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  16. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (2011-02-22). "House to resume hearings on Ombudsman impeachment". GMANews.TV. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  17. ↑ Ramos, Marlon (2011-02-28). "SC didn't debate Gutierrez's petition—Sereno". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  18. ↑ Dedace, Sophia (2011-02-28). "Ombudsman appeals SC ruling on impeachment case". GMANews.TV. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  19. ↑ Cruz, RG (2011-03-01). "Merci's allies lose in showdown on impeachment". ABS-CBNNews.com. Retrieved 2011-03-08.
  20. ↑ Andreo Calonzo and Amita Legaspi (2011-03-07). "Pro-admin solons heed PNoy on Merci impeachment case". GMA News. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  21. ↑ "Defiant Ombudsman a no-show at impeach hearing". ABS-CBNNews.com. 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  22. ↑ "Merci brands House panel a 'kangaroo court'". ABS-CBNNews.com. 2011-03-08. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  23. ↑ "Numbers & politics: how the justice committee voted". Newsbreak. 2011-03-11. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
  24. ↑ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (2011-03-08). "House forms initial list of solons to form prosecution panel in impeach trial". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  25. ↑ Ager, Maila (2011-03-08). "LP senators: No marching order from Aquino to impeach Ombudsman". Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  26. ↑ "Palace denies Aquino 'marching orders'". JOURNAL Online. 2011-03-09. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  27. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (2011-03-09). "House minority hits Aquino for asking support to impeach Ombudsman". GMA News. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  28. ↑ Dalangin-Fernandez, Lira (2011-03-13). "Draft impeachment charges against Ombudsman released". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  29. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (2011-03-13). "Ombudsman Gutierrez faces 6 impeach charges". GMA News. Retrieved 2011-03-13.
  30. ↑ Romero, Paolo (2011-03-20). "'Oust Merci or no pork' text denied". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2011-03-21.
  31. ↑ TJ Burgonio, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr. (2011-03-21). "INC hand seen in efforts to kill impeachment of Gutierrez". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2011-03-21.
  32. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (2011-03-21). "'Stand up to the challenge' of impeaching Merci, House told". GMANews.TV. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  33. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (2011-03-21). "Solon accuses Tupas of 'vested interests' in Merci impeach case". GMANews.TV. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  34. 1 2 Romero, Paolo (2011-03-22). "House votes 210-47, impeaches Ombudsman". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  35. ↑ Calonzo, Andreo (2011-03-22). "House impeaches Ombudsman for betrayal of public trust". GMANews.TV. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  36. ↑ "Ombudsman Gutierrez impeached for betrayal of public trust". Newsbreak.ph. 2011-03-22. Retrieved 2011-03-22.
  37. ↑ Ben Ramirez and Ben Rosario (2011-03-22). "Flimsy decision – Merci". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
  38. ↑ Cabacungan, Gil Jr. (2011-03-31). "House prosecution team still has 3 more vacancies". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
  39. ↑ "House transmits impeachment articles to Senate". GMANews.TV. 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  40. ↑ Burgonio, TJ (2011-03-23). "Senate adopts rules of procedure for Ombudsman's impeachment trial". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  41. ↑ "Ombudsman Merci resigns, 10 days before Senate trial". GMA News Online. 2011-04-29. Retrieved 2011-04-29.
  42. ↑ "Senate shelves Ombudsman's impeachment trial". ABS-CBNNews.com. 2011-04-30. Retrieved 2011-05-01.
  43. ↑ Tan, Kimberly Jane (2011-04-29). "Senators thank Merci for resigning, but warn it's not over yet". GMA News Online. Retrieved 2011-04-31. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)

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