A new Ombudsman? A woman fits the job

BEIJING, China – The designation by President GMA of one of her most trusted Cabinet members, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Merceditas Gutierrez as Ombudsman to succeed "retiring" Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo comes as no surprise. When Marcelo, who was doing a fine job, suddenly announced his resignation for reasons of health, speculation ran rife as to who would be anointed to that vital position of government graft buster.

The usual "attacks" will be launched on the former acting Justice Secretary – even the allegation that she was a law classmate of you-know-whom – but if you ask me Gutierrez is a good choice. She has no political agenda, no law firm to "enhance" or "protect," and her reputation is excellent – to my knowledge, no scandal past or present attaches to her name.

I met Justice Harriet Demetriou here in Beijing, and while lunching at the National Museum’s "Imperial Court" restaurant, I told her about Gutierrez. The former Comelec Chairman was delighted with the choice. She declared Gutierrez is tops, and Harriet is not one to dispense praise lavishly.

In any event, while the "perfect" Ombudsman is one who isn’t friendly with anyone, and has no political connections, this is an imperfect world. Of course GMA appointed Merceditas Gutierrez to protect her back, even after she’s no longer President, which won’t happen for a while yet.

However, La Emperadora must give Gutierrez, if some mishap doesn’t derail her confirmation as Ombudsman, the instructions to go, hammer and thong, after everybody else, and let the Devil take the hindmost. For the Ombudsman is the dragonslayer of graft, empowered to crush evil in the government – she must not be fettered by politics, even "gratitude" to the appointing power.

Let’s face it. Former President Fidel V. Ramos appointed Aniano Desierto as Ombudsman for the same purpose – that of defending him even after he stepped down as Chief Executive. Desierto, and his Merry Men, alas, went after the late Vice-President Salvador Laurel Jr., unfairly, in the Centennial Fund case. This hounded poor Doy to the grave – perhaps even contributed to his early demise. Doy was a fine public servant, a true leader, a man who did his best for our country. In politics and public life, sad to say, he was not recompensed or appreciated as he richly deserved.

The Ombudsman’s task is a solemn and important one – and not one to be handed out as a political plum, or for personal gratification or self-protection. All this being said, Gutierrez is the right woman for this difficult but great undertaking.