'Withdrawal of Supreme Court bid out of delicadeza'

MANILA, Philippines - Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez yesterday said she withdrew her nomination for a seat in the Supreme Court “out of delicadeza” because of the pending impeachment case against her.

“Although it (impeachment case) was dismissed by the absolute majority of the House justice committee, it has to pass through the plenary,” Gutierrez said.

“I do not want to burden the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) with this pending impeachment case,” she added.

SC spokesman Midas Marquez earlier confirmed the withdrawal of the nomination but did not cite the reason.

Gutierrez was nominated for the seat that will be vacated by Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing when he retires on Nov. 7 by lawyer Jose Flaminiano and El Shaddai leader Mike Velarde.

“I would like to thank Brother Mike Velarde and Atty. Jose Flaminiano for endorsing me to the JBC,” Gutierrez said.      – Reinir Padua