MANILA, Philippines—Two Catholic bishops on Tuesday launched a movement that would closely monitor the proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in the Senate, which will try her following Congress’ success to impeach her late Monday.
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez and Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias under the multi-sectoral group Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya led the “Impeach Merceditas Gutierrez” movement to ensure that the process would be properly carried out.
“Under the movement, we are just going to observe what will happen in the Senate and monitor if the process of impeachment is properly implemented,” Iñiguez told the Inquirer in a phone interview Tuesday.
He said it was important for the Senate to carry out the impeachment proceedings with impartiality and objectivity so that “justice could prevail” in case the allegations against Gutierrez were true.
Late Monday night, the House of Representatives voted 212-46-4 in the final tally to impeach Gutierrez for betrayal of public trust, paving the way for a Senate trial on the case.
Iñiguez on Tuesday said he hoped that the senators would handle the case objectively and without other motivations.
“They should just do what they are tasked to do under the Constitution. They should have no other goals but to find out the truth and render justice,” said the prelate, expressing hope that the impeachment trial will be devoid of grandstanding.
“It is really up to them (if they will have other intentions) but we hope they will just do what is expected of them by the people,” he added.
Over Church-run Radio Veritas, Basilan Bishop Martin Jumoad also appealed to senators to “vote according to their conscience so that our government will be a government of laws and not affiliated by political party.”
He also encouraged Gutierrez to examine her conscience in view of the charges filed against her. “If true, she must be humble enough to accept her weaknesses so that the people would say that she is a woman of honor and integrity,” said Jumoad.