After publicly expressing his disapproval of her performance, President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III said he is open to discussions with Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, who is perceived to be close to the Arroyo family. But Aquino said he will still discuss with his legal team whether such a move could be done, saying he does not want to appear as though he is interfering in the workings of the Office of the Ombudsman. “There's a possibility [of talking to her] but you have to define the guidelines and the waypoints and parameters,” Aquino said late Tuesday night when asked for his response to Gutierrez's statement that she is willing to present to him the achievements of her office. Aquino said there was a “fine line” in interfering in the workings of a constitutional body such as the Office of the Ombudsman, which is tasked to investigate and file charges against erring public officials. “You don't want to be guilty of that,” he said. Last week, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Palace is mulling several options against Gutierrez, who is alleged to have gone soft on former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, who was Gutierrez's batchmate at the Ateneo Law School, by excluding them in corruption cases. While Lacierda said impeachment is one way to remove Gutierrez, he maintained that the Palace will have no hand in such a move. Aquino said it was “not the time to talk about impeachment,” even as he criticized the Office of the Ombudsman for filing charges against those involved in the P728-million fertilizer fund scam only upon the return of former Agriculture chief Luis “Cito” Lorenzo a few weeks ago when a Senate panel recommended charges against those involved as early as 2006. “We are trying to find the best way to afford complete justice for all at the fastest time. If we can have discussions with other branches of government instead of fighting with them, why not?” he said. Aquino said he is thinking of talking not just with Gutierrez but also with other officials involved in the delivery of justice. Gutierrez had earlier said she would not quit her post and that she intends to complete her fixed seven-year term as Ombudsman, which will end in December 2012. Arroyo appointed Gutierrez in December 2005. “Like many constitutional officials, the Ombudsman has a fixed term and can be removed only by impeachment. The Constitution enumerates the specific grounds for impeachment. Alleged closeness to the appointing authority is not one of them,” she said. Gutierrez also expressed full support for the Truth Commission, the soon-to-be-created independent panel that will probe unresolved corruption controversies in the Arroyo administration. “I have full faith in the competence, integrity, independence and impartiality of former Chief Justice Hilario Davide. The Office of the Ombudsman will extend full appropriate assistance and cooperation to the Truth Commission in carrying out its mandate,” she said.
