Palace scouting for Ani’s successor

President Arroyo has started scouting for a qualified lawyer to replace beleaguered Ombudsman Aniano Desierto, who retires in August.

Mrs. Arroyo said in the television talk show "Isyu" on ABS-CBN 2 the search has nothing to do with the efforts of some legislators to have Desierto impeached and removed from office.

"You know Desierto is going to retire this August," she said. "So even if there is impeachment or not, I have to think who’s going to replace him."

Mrs. Arroyo did not name the people whom she has been considering to take over from Desierto as the new ombudsman come August.

However, Misamis Oriental Rep. Oscar Moreno warned Mrs. Arroyo yesterday against naming as Desierto’s successor Deputy Ombudsman Margarito Gervacio, whom he described as "worse than Desierto."

Moreno is spearheading efforts at the House of Representatives for the impeachment of Desierto and his eventual trial and removal by the Senate.

But Agusan del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay said Moreno had charged Desierto with neglect of duty, which is not a ground for impeachment under the Constitution.

"No congressman should play around with the solemn power of impeachment because it has serious implications," Pichay, who chairs the House committee on defense, said.

"We must bear in mind that the move to impeach Desierto will not prejudice him alone. It will also set a dangerous precedent against other impeachable officials from the President and the Supreme Court justices to the heads of constitutional bodies," Pichay said.

More congressmen have joined the call for the impeachment of Desierto and an additional 50 are said to have signed the complaint against the Ombudsman.

Tarlac Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, secretary general of the Liberal Party, has decided to sign a new impeachment complaint against Desierto.

Aquino said Desierto is "now tainted" and should be subjected to an impeachment trial.

Leyte Rep. Ted Failon, who has added his signature to the complaint, said he had received a copy of the accusations against Desierto from Moreno, the principal complainant.

"I think the Ombudsman has a lot of explaining to do after a formal trial," he said.

Failon said he has also been given a copy of Desierto’s answer to the complaint, and that after reading it, he had decided to sign the impeachment complaint. – Marichu Villanueva, Mark Francisco, Jess Diaz