My initial reaction upon learning of the action taken by the Office of the Ombudsman in the case filed against former Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos and incumbent SSS president Romulo Neri was that of glee and joy. But the feeling was short-lived; it soon turned into disgust and disdain.

It is clear that Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez merely made sacrificial lambs out of Abalos and Neri. The main character in the NBN-ZTE mega-corrupt act was exonerated. The facts and circumstances surrounding the case are crystal clear as to who was behind it all. His dark shadow, nay, his enormous physical presence, was there every step of the way, and there can be no doubting he was involved.

The move of the Office of the Ombudsman is obviously meant to appease a restive public and “soften the ground” for Gutierrez, who is facing an impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives. But the truth cannot be hidden. The ombudsman has slept on her job. Worse, she has even become the protector of crooks in government.

The Filipino people shouldn’t be deceived by this attempt to hide the ugly face of corruption in Philippine government. It’s either Gutierrez is impeached or she resigns. She has brought shame and dishonor to the Office of the Ombudsman.

—MANUEL P. MEJORADA,
provincial administrator,
Iloilo City