ROXAS: FG DEFENSE OF OMBUDSMAN VALIDATED
IMPEACHMENT ALLEGATIONS

Liberal President Senator Mar Roxas today said First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo validated the allegations against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez after he defended his former law school classmate from the charges contained in the impeachment complaint filed with the House of Representatives.

"The First Gentleman consciously or unconsciously has himself indicted and confirmed the validity of the impeachment complaint against Merceditas Gutierrez," he said in a privileged speech, in reference to Mr. Arroyo's remarks quoted by media that "she (Gutierrez) is just doing her job, just let her alone, leave her alone."

"What are the reasons why the First Gentleman himself has chosen to come to the succor of the Ombudsman in such a brazen and unrestrained manner? Personal ba ito o opisyal niyang tungkulin? Utos ba ito ng kanyang maybahay? Did he make it as a private citizen? Or did he make it in behalf of his office, for indeed, there is an Office of the First Gentleman in the Office of the President in Malacanang. Or was this statement made in behalf of President Arroyo?" he asked.

The Ilonggo senator said he could not fathom under what standards Mr. Arroyo based his confidence that Gutierrez was "doing her job", pointing out "In fact, my judgment is she has been a failure at her job. That is why early on I called for her resignation."

"That is why we want her removed from office. Kaya walang makalusot-lusot na kaso laban sa mga alipores ng administrasyong Arroyo ay dahil isa mismo sa mga alipores na iyon ang nakaupo sa Office of the Ombudsman," he stressed.

He said the only thing that Gutierrez had proven during her stint is that officials allied with the administration are "untouchables" enjoying the privilege of executive immunity, citing the cases of former DA Undersecretary Jocelyn "Joc-Joc" Bolante, former Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos and retired police comptroller Gen. Eliseo dela Paz , among others. "Iisa ang mensahe nito: Kung malapit ka kay Gloria, untouchable ka. Kung nasa poder ka, quesejodang hindi ka nagtatrabaho, walang magagawa ang taumbayan."

At the same time, Roxas defended former Senate President and lead complainant Jovito "Ka Jovy" Salonga from the attacks of Gutierrez and Mr. Arroyo. "Isa si Ka Jovy sa mga pinakamarangal na taong kilala ko... Itaga mo sa bato: hindi mabibili ng sinuman si Ka Jovy. Hindi niya ibebenta ang taumbayan."

He added: "Pagtabihin natin ang dalawa. Ang isa, alipores ng pinakatiwaling gobyerno sa kasaysayan ng bansa, hinahayaang mabulok sa opisina niya ang mga kaso laban sa pamilyang Arroyo at sa mga alipores nito; ang isa, nanindigan, nasugatan, walumpu't walong taong-gulang na pero patuloy pa ring lumalaban para sa bayan. Ang budhi ng isa, sing-itim ng isang madilim na balon kung saan nahuhulog at naglalaho ang kaban ng bayan, parang tiyan ng dambuhalang buwaya; ang budhi ng isa, walang bahid, nakasisilaw sa puti, singliwanag ng apoy ng pag-ibig para sa bayan, hinding-hindi mapupukaw, kailanman."