P-Noy’s chance
| C.R.O.S.S.R.O.A.D.S |
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| Jonathan De la Cruz |
With the resignation (some, like law professor Alan Paguia, say for good reason it should be called stepping down) of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez effective Friday, May 6, P-Noy will now have the chance to finally set in motion what has always been considered the principal basis for his election — lead the nation through the “straight and narrow path” of transparent, effective and, yes, accountable governance. After waging an “all-out war” against Gutierrez for months on end culminating in her stepping down from office just three days before the start of her impeachment trial at the Senate, the Chief Executive will now have to show that indeed his seemingly inexplicable hounding of Gutierrez is for real. But first P-Noy must review the current status of the Ombudsman as the constitutionally established “tribune of the people” and ensure that it is returned to its constitutional roots. As Paguia noted during our regular Saturday Forum at the Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City over the weekend, P-Noy must perforce perform his constitutional duty by appointing an Ombdusman in accordance with the strict dictate of the 1987 Constitution. Meaning, the replacement will serve a term up to 2016 not November 2012 as claimed by Gutierrez and her lawyers. He posits that only by returning the office to such a constitutional order, no matter what the complications and consequences may be, can P-Noy proceed with all deliberate speed to press on with his avowed “rule of law” and daang matuwid anti-corruption campaign to end poverty and injustice in the land. Although this assertion can lead to a messy legal situation, there is merit to it. And, if P-Noy and his advocates are really serious in making a difference in the way we do things, there is every reason for them to embrace this line..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/commentary/20110502com4.html
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