Merci trial could begin late next month

MANILA, Philippines -  The Senate trial of impeached Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez could begin later next month, a House prosecutor said yesterday. Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas told a news conference that based on the impeachment rules of the Senate, Gutierrez would be given 10 days from May 9, when Congress resumes session, to answer the impeachment charges against her.

“She might want to exhaust those 10 days, after which we would be given time to comment on her answer. My prediction is that the trial proper could begin third week of May,” he said.

“The House would want to present its case against Gutierrez and convict her as speedily as possible,” he added.

On the other hand, the Ombudsman “would want to present her defense as slow as possible and to delay proceedings until she retires in November next year, if possible,” he said. However, Fariñas pointed out that both the Senate and the House might opt to finish the impeachment trial before tackling the proposed 2012 national budget in August.

“But it’s really up to the Senate. I think this will be quicker, since senators have decided to conduct the trial every day, except Saturdays, Sundays and holidays,” he said.

He also revealed that House and private prosecutors and resource persons have been meeting to prepare for the trial.

He said Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. has been attending the meetings.

“He will have the final say on the recruitment of private prosecutors, who are backstopping us on a pro bono (free of charge) basis,” he said.

He later told reporters that lawyers formerly identified with former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and belonging to The Firm, like former ombudsman Simeon Marcelo and former defense secretary Avelino Cruz, might be among the prosecution team’s resource persons. 

Fariñas said since there would be 11 House prosecutors, two prosecutors would handle each of the six impeachment charges.

“I have expressed preference to handle the charges relating to the fertilizer scam and the low conviction rate of the Ombudsman. We will be supported by private lawyers,” he added.

He pointed out that the job of prosecutors would be “compartmentalized.”

“There would be division of labor, with someone overseeing everything. Each prosecution team will not know what the other is doing, who are their respective witnesses and what is their respective strategy,” he stressed.