Ombudsman's Game Plan in congress Reeks of Hocus Pocus- Maza

“The majority of the House Justice Committee are stinking of hocus pocus by systematically ridiculing its own rules. They are determined to change the rules of the game so as to ensure that corrupt government officials will get away. Apparently, Ombudsman Guttierez has both Malacañang and the majority of the House members under her nose.”

This is the pronouncement of Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Maza today during the first hearing of the House Justice Committee regarding the impeachment complaint against Ombudsman Merceditas Guttierez.
 
During the said hearing, Justice Committee Chairperson Matias Defensor deliberately declared that there was no quorum despite hours of deliberation. At the start, there were eleven members of the committee present. Supposedly, the committee was to determine the sufficiency in form and substance of the said impeachment complaint.

The Gabriela solon assailed the dirty tactics of the majority of the House Justice Committee members saying that if this continues, the culpability and responsibility of Ombudsman Guttierez to the Filipino people and the Constitution will never be determined.

“This is ominous of the game plan of the majority of the House Justice Committee members so we must be keep our vigilance,” Maza said.

Maza also decried that as long as Ombudsman Guttierez stays in power, the Philippines will retain its disreputable record as the most corrupt country in Asia. Last year, the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy confirmed Philippines as the most corrupt country in Asia replacing Indonesia in the top spot.

“Apparently, it is during Guttierez’ term as Ombudsman that our country rose to being perceived in the worst light. During her first year as Ombudsman way back in 2006, the country moved to 2nd place as the most corrupt country in Asia. In 2007 and 2008, she has further dragged the Philippines to become the most corrupt country in Asia,” Maza stressed.