SENATE President Juan Ponce Enrile yesterday advised Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to stop contesting the dismissal of her deputy for sitting on a case.
“Kung ako siya (Gutierrez), let the processes of the law take its course. Si Deputy Ombudsman (Emilio) Gonzalez abogado ‘yun eh. He knows how to protect himself. Kung ako kay Merceditas, huwag na siyang makihalo diyan dahil meron siyang kaso eh,” he said referring to the impeachment complaint against the Ombudsman pending before the Senate.
Enrile said unless Gonzalez can obtain a temporary restraining order from the court, he can no longer defy Malacanang’s order dismissing him from service for alleged inaction on the case of a former Manila policeman who stage the infamous Luneta hostage drama last August.
Gonzalez was sacked for not acting on the appeal of Rolando Mendoza for nine months.
“Masyadong matagal ‘yun. Ano ang ginawa niya ng nine months para pag-aralan every word nung kaso ni Mendoza? Medyo kaduda-duda ‘yun. Ako mismo kung ako ang nasa lugar ng Presidente magdududa rin ako.”
“Two months would be a reasonable time (to dispose the case of Mendoza). Lahat ng kaso must be disposed with dispatch. Iyun ang sabi ng Constitution. It has to be decided immediately. My God! Nine months.”
Enrile said it is within the authority of the President to dismiss Gonzalez because the latter is a presidential appointee.
Gutierrez defended Gonzalez and refused to recognize the President’s directive.
Enrile said the Ombudsman should stop meddling the case.
“The President has the power, control and supervision over all employees of the executive department of government. The President has the power to hire and fire, the power to appoint and remove (employes and officials in government).”
“Kung merong right to appeal, totoo they can appeal whether they have to go to the higher court and get an injunctive relief to stop the order of the President. But unless there is a TRO, executory ‘yung decision ng President,” Enrile told a radio interview.
“Hindi naman impeachable officer ‘yung deputy ombudsman. Ang impeacheable ang Ombudsman. All other officials of the government ay removable by the Office of the President based on the causes provided by law except those subject by impeachment such as the justices, constitutional commissions and the Ombudsman,” he said.
