Gutierrez’s resignation ‘void ab initio’ — Paguia By Benjamin B. Pulta 05/02/2011

Gutierrez’s resignation ‘void ab initio’ — Paguia

By Benjamin B. Pulta 05/02/2011

Outspoken justice system critic Alan Paguia claimed former Ombudsman Ma. Merceditas Gutierrez’s recent resignation was “void ab initio.”

In an e-mailed statement, Paguia, a defense lawyer for President Joseph Estrada before being suspended by the high court for harsh words against the tribunal, said “She (Gutierrez) cannot relinquish an officae she no longer holds,”

“Her term had expired in 2009,” Paguia said, adding Gutierrez had been appointed in 2004 after her predecessor Simeon Marcelo stepped down citing health reasons before completing the law’s seven-year term for the position.

As a consequence, Paguia believes Gutierrez’s term should be only up to the remainder of what would have been Marcelo’s term, or up to 2009 only..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110502hed2.html