Prosecution mulls 8 witnesses in Ombudsman impeach trial

MANILA, Philippines – At least eight witnesses are now being considered by the prosecution team against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez over her alleged inaction on the P728-million fertilizer fund scam, a member of the panel said on Tuesday.

But Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Neri Colmenares said they have yet to convince two or three of the witnesses, whom he refused to identify.

“May [There are] two or three witnesses na kinakausap [whom we are talking to] that we hope to present in the impeachment trial,” Colmenares said over the phone.

“May initial talks na [already]. But of course, the Ombudsman and GMA, these are powerful individuals so it’s not easy naman to convince them [the witnesses],” he said.
GMA is the initial of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Colmenares could neither confirm nor deny if former Agriculture Secretary Luis “Cito” Lorenzo was one of the three witnesses although he said Lorenzo’s name had been mentioned.

“For me, their testimonies are strong but I’d like to see their affidavits first,” he said.

The other five witnesses that the prosecution team will present against the Ombudsman at least on the issue of the fertilizer scam are former Solicitor General Frank Chavez, Danilo Ramos (secretary general of the militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, former Senate Secretary Oscar Yabes, a representative from the Commission on Audit, and possibly, former Senator Ramon Magsasay, who headed the Senate probe on the matter.

Colmenares said the name of former Senator Richard Gordon was also mentioned as possible witness in the impeachment trial.