Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez resigns

Screencap of a video from ABS-CBN News

(SPOT.ph) Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez submitted her resignation to President Aquino this morning, reports ABS-CBN News.

As dictated by Gutierrez’s impeachment spokesman Atty. Tomas Syquia to ABS-CBN correspondent Anthony Taberna, Gutierrez's one-page resignation letter to Aquino stated, "I am resigning my office effective May 6. Even as a private citizen, I will still support the efforts of government in stamping out corruption." Syquia confirmed that Gutierrez personally handed in her resignation which was immediately accepted by President Aquino.

House justice committee vice-chairman Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, who also confirmed the news, said, "It is a welcome move in that it would spare the nation a lot of trouble."

Gutierrez’ resignation comes ten days before the impeachment trials are set to resume. "A resigned official can no longer be removed by impeachment. Her resignation however does not prevent the state from pursuing criminal cases should there be sufficient grounds to do so," Senator Francis Pangilinan said in a text message to GMA News Online.

The impeachment trial was set to begin on May 9.

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