Aquino: Cases vs Arroyo officials can stand in court sans Gutierrez’s testimony

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III said on Tuesday that Malacañang has gathered enough evidence for the cases it would pursue against some former officials in the Arroyo administration and would not “force” anyone, even outgoing Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, to cooperate with them.

The President made the statement after he was asked to comment on the calls of his Liberal party mates to tap Gutierrez as a witness against former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

“If she testifies, then I think we will welcome it,” President Aquino told reporters, in reference to Gutierrez.

“But we do not intend to force anybody. We think there are substantial pieces of evidence for numerous cases already present,” he also said.

He did not want to comment on whether Gutierrez’s cooperation would be the only way she could redeem herself.

“Can I just leave judgment until such time that we have actually, we have the new Ombudsman who is actually preparing all of these cases?” the President said.

Malacañang is now in search for a new Ombudsman after Gutierrez announced last week her decision to resign, effective May 6, to spare the government and the public a divisive impeachment trial in the Senate on May 9.

On 212 votes, the House of Representatives impeached Ombudsman Gutierrez on charges that she sat on corruption cases against Arroyo officials.