Aquino hails solons in impeachment as heroes

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday hailed as “heroes of the day” two lawmakers who were among the 212 members of the House of Representatives who voted to impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez late Monday.

The President made the reference as he was acknowledging the presence of House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada and partylist Representative Bernadette Herrera-Dy before he made a speech at the World Water Day 2011 celebration at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

That was the only remark made by President Aquino, who has been vocal about the need to remove Gutierrez from her post, on the House action that saw the impeachment case of the Ombudsman being brought to the Senate for trial.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that House “made history” late Monday when it approved the articles of impeachment against Gutierrez.

“By doing so, the House has put an end to the long era of impunity that tarnished our institutions and made a mockery of the bedrock principle of accountability enshrined in our Constitution,” Lacierda said in a statement.