President Benigno S. Aquino ordered the search for a new Ombudsman after Merceditas Gutierrez resigned Friday, barely two weeks before the start of an impeachment process aimed at removing her from office.
“I now urge the Judicial and Bar Council to begin the search for a new Ombudsman. With the support of the public, we can now proceed more decisively in making government officials more accountable to their bosses, the Filipino people,†the President said in a statement Friday.
President Aquino said he was glad with the resignation of Gutierrez, adding Congress can now focus on matters that concern national welfare rather than spend time deliberating in a lengthy impeachment process.
“Her action has spared the country from a long and divisive impeachment process that would have distracted our lawmakers from dealing with the many problems we face today,†the President said.
With the cancellation of the impeachment process, Congress can now focus on over 20 priority measures that his administration supports, bills that need urgent passage because of their benefits to the people, he said.
At the same time, the President thanked the House of Representatives that worked hard on debating and submitting the impeachment complaint to the Senate.
Asked by reporters whether Gutierrez will be off the hook after stepping down and whether he asked for concessions, the President said he didn’t ask for anything in return for the resignation of Gutierrez.
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