Should we be glad we have a first woman Ombudsman?
Merceditas Gutierrez’ foremost qualification for her appointment as Ombudsman is her closeness (classmate) to Mike Arroyo. Women have nothing to be happy about Gutierrez’ appointment, because it just shows that Gloria and Mike Arroyo want to pack high positions in government with people who are loyal to them, so they can continue calling the shots and their system of patronage. Gloria might as well have appointed a man loyal to her and it wouldn’t matter.
Gutierrez’ short stint in the Department of Justice as Acting Secretary (but for many years she was undersecretary) was insignificant to women’s rights advocates, and when we have someone whose main goal is her personal career advancement, she will forever be indebted to Mike Arroyo. We have no illusion that Gutierrez can fill up even just one shoe of Simeon Marcelo.
December 1st, 2005 11:14
Way back in June and July, when members of the cabinet were discussing whether Gloria Arroyo should say something about the Garci tapes, Gutierrez was one of the hardliners who wanted GMA to stonewall. Hell with the truth. Gutierrez was put named Ombudsman to make sure that graft cases against Arroyo and her family would not prosper. She is another Desierto.
December 1st, 2005 20:48
After reading both your and Ellen’s comments, my thought is that with the kind of defence phalanx that Gloria is forming around her, no legal arrow can strike her.
December 1st, 2005 21:46
Ang tawag ni Lucio Tan kay Desierto, “masaganang Ani.” Eh si Gutierrez, “masunuring Mercy?”
December 7th, 2005 20:48
I read from a newspaper that Gutierrez was recommended to GMA by the Honorable Jovito Salonga, and the news was quite emphatic about it. I doubt if the good old wise Salonga indeed called up GMA for that. Malacanang should spare Salonga from the gimmickry. A statesman will not go down to the height of GMA.
December 7th, 2005 21:10
angel,
i like that - “not go down to the height of GMA.” HAHAHA
Bing