MANILA, Philippines—On her last day of what turned out to be an abbreviated tenure, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez on Friday got a send-off message from Malacañang that wished her “good fortune in her private life.”
“We thank her for sparing the country from the national ordeal of conducting an impeachment (trial) and we wish her well,” said presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, referring to the impeachment trial at the Senate which was scheduled to begin on Monday.
The House of Representatives, dominated by President Aquino’s allies, had voted to impeach Gutierrez. She initially put up a fight but decided to resign last week.
Lacierda said the Palace was now awaiting the official list of nominees for the next Ombudsman to be submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council.
Asked if President Aquino had a replacement in mind, Lacierda replied: “Certainly one that will see a case as it should be, who will see a case based on the evidence presented, who will not patronize any person.”
Lacierda made it clear that factions within the administration would not influence the President’s choice.
“I can guarantee you that the President will appoint a person of integrity, competence and of probity to the Office of the Ombudsman and none of the factions will try to insist on a particular nominee,” he said.
Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago earlier warned that at least two warring groups within the President’s inner circle were trying to have their choice appointed as the next Ombudsman.