The Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing oral arguments for Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez's petition seeking to bar the House of Representatives justice committee from hearing the two impeachment complaints filed against her.
Gutierrez, who filed her petition last Sept. 13, said the House panel violated the 1987 Constitution by accepting the two complaints even if the Charter bans two impeachment proceedings against the Ombudsman within one year.
On Sept. 14, the SC issued a status quo ante order, restoring the situation before the House committee issued the two resolutions that found the complaints sufficient in form and substance.
The oral arguments are seemingly a battle of retired magistrates. Gutierrez is represented by former SC justice Serafin Cuevas, while the House panel is represented by former SC justice Vicente Mendoza, a noted constitutionalist.
The other counsels present were Solicitor General Anselmo Cadiz (also a representative of the House justice committee), University of the Philippines law dean Marvic Leonen (to represent House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte).
The Ombudsman was present at the event.
Gutierrez has been accused of protecting former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband, former First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo by allegedly sitting on cases where the former First Couple have been implicated. Gutierrez and Mr. Arroyo were batch mates at the Ateneo School of Law. — RSJ/LBG,
