PRESIDENT
Benigno Aquino III just can’t get Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez out of his mind.
In his speech during a dialogue with soldiers at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, the President reiterated his resolve to remove Gutierrez from office which he said is a big step in the campaign to weed out corruption in government particularly in the military.
Aquino scored anew the plea bargaining agreement between the Office of the Ombudsman and former military comptroller Carlos Garcia, who was accused of enriching himself in office with military funds.
”Hindi naman po katanggap-tanggap na ninanakawan na ng limpak-limpak na pera ang kasundaluhan, wala pa rin tayong tamang aksyon na ginagawa. Kaya naman masigasig nating isinusulong ang impeachment ni Merceditas Gutierrez,” he said.
”Parang sinasabi doon na magnakaw ka ng marami, matutukso ang estadong makipaghatian sa iyo maski hindi man kalahati ang maibabalik, papasalamatan ka pa,” he said.
The President earlier declared that his administration is “at war” with the Ombudsman.
He said he is aware of the sacrifices of ordinary soldiers and how allegations of corruption add to their sufferings even as he vowed that his administration will make the guilty pay for their misdeeds and public confidence in the military will be restored.
”Anuman po ang kahinatnan ng imbestigasyon sa Senado, hindi po natin papayagang buwagin ng kontrobersyang ito ang dangal at pangalan ng Sandatahang Lakas,” he said.
The President said he will also see to it that the needs of the soldiers are taken care of including housing and modern equipment.
