Signature drive to impeach Ombudsman blocked
MANILA, Philippines - House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. on Thursday said he has blocked attempts by congressmen to gather the 90 signatures needed to send the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez directly to the Senate for trial.
In an interview, Belmonte said he would rather have due process and let the case go through its proper course.
"I'm against the process of mustering 90 signatures. It will still go through process. Sabi ko, hindi maganda. Some people were thinking of doing it. I want due process and that's what we're getting here. Fairness to everybody. There's no due process if you kill before it starts," he said.
Belmonte said President Benigno Aquino III has not given any marching orders to his allies in the House of Representatives to impeach Gutierrez despite his earlier campaign commitment that he will work for the Ombudsman's replacement.
Gutierrez has been accused of preventing the filing of cases against the former administration.
The Speaker, meanwhile, defended Justice Committee Chairman Niel Tupas Jr. from questions of impropriety. The minority has urged Tupas to inhjbit in the case since he and his father are facing cases filed by the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan.
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Money talks or walk the talk
It's pretty obvious that people want the Ombudsman fire out but it would only be legal through impeachment. So, Why does Sonny Belmonte has to go through the red tape?
This impeachment has started since the previous administration and until now Sonny Belmonte is not eager to do his job. A justice delayed is a justice denied. We, the people has been denied justice for the Ombudsman for a long time of impeachment attempt since the previous administration and now congress is still all talking. What people need is talk the walk and kick out Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez now.
Sonny Belmonte can be easily bribe by the Arroyo. Any action that will favor the Ombudsman may translate to bribe money. A million peso can be a bride by releasing comment to media that no majority vote can be obtain from the congressmen. Another million bribe for stopping a signature drive by other congressman. All this for due process which means delaying tactic. And who will win and lose on this arrangement for the sake of due process. On the other hand, anyone can be easily be fired and remove from office but not the Ombudsman because of due process which is called politics. The Ombudsman can easily fire you and me but the Ombudsman can not easily be fired, where is justice on that - it's stupidity.
What's next from Sonny Belmonte? The longer it takes the more bribe money will keep coming. More talk more money - business as usual.
Bangon Pnoy.
Mr. Belmonte is not trying to
Mr. Belmonte is not trying to be fair to the Ombudsman, he is simply afraid that the latter should get back at him. People should know that not one LGU official can honestly claim that he has not dipped his finger in the cookie jar.
before and after.
Posted at 09/02/2010 6:00 PM | Updated as of 09/02/2010 6:00 PM
Before
MANILA, Philippines - House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. virtually admitted that there are not enough congressmen to impeach Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez.
After
Posted at 09/09/2010 4:33 AM | Updated as of 09/09/2010 4:33 AM
MANILA, Philippines - House Speaker Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. on Thursday said he has blocked attempts by congressmen to gather the 90 signatures needed to send the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez directly to the Senate for trial.
Nice work Mr Speaker, telling
Nice work Mr Speaker, telling the media he is blocking any attempt for signature campaign yet behind the scene, he's moving heaven and earth to gather at least 100 signatures. . .this is Pnoy's style. . we got you though!!!