Merceditas Gutierrez is new senior citizen council head, however the aged need her out

Gutierrez simply resigned from GSIS after a turbulent stint, however her bounce to NCSC will not be a welcome transfer for some senior residents

Merceditas Gutierrez has moved from the Authorities Service Insurance coverage System (GSIS) to the Nationwide Fee of Senior Residents (NCSC).

However her arrival will not be welcome to some whom she’ll be main below her new mandate.

The group “Seniors on the Transfer,” in a petition not too long ago created in change.org, registered a robust opposition in opposition to Gutierrez’s appointment whom they known as an official impeached due to her “negligence in a wide-scale corruption throughout her Ombudsman tenure.”

The group questioned Gutierrez’s appointment which gave the impression to be “sped up.”

“Deserve ba ng mga senior residents ang ganitong klaseng lider – isang na-impeach na opisyal na ‘di umano’y hindi ginampanan ang kanyang responsibilidad na labanan ang kurapsyon?” the group wrote.

“Kung walang malinaw na sagot sa mga tanong na ito, hinihiling namin sa Workplace of the President na bawiin ang appointment ni Gutierrez, buksan muli ang proseso ng nominasyon ayon sa batas RA [Republic Act No.] 11350 (Nationwide Senior Residents Act) at magpatawag ng normal meeting ng mga senior residents’ organizations para pumili ng karapat-dapat na lider ng NCSC,” they added.

(Do senior residents deserve this sort of chief – an official who had been impeached, and who allegedly didn’t do something to struggle corruption? If there’s no clear reply to this query, we’re urging the Workplace of the President to rescind Gutierrez’s appointment, open the nominations below the Nationwide Senior Residents Act and name for a normal meeting of senior residents’ organizations to decide on the subsequent deserving chief of NCSC.)

Beneath RA No. 11350, the NCSC is tasked to make sure the efficient implementation of assorted applications and companies that promote senior residents’ well being and well-being, amongst others.

The NCSC consists of a chairperson and 6 commissioners with six-year phrases every. To sit down within the fee, they should be:

• Filipino residents
• A minimum of 60 years on the time of their appointment
• Of fine ethical character
• Bona fide members of senior residents’ associations
• Faculty diploma holders or have related expertise in senior residents affairs
• Of fine well being and sound thoughts
• Haven’t been convicted by a ultimate judgment involving ethical turpitude
• Really helpful by a normal meeting of senior residents organizations

Rappler has already reached out to Gutierrez for a remark. We’ll replace this story as soon as she responds.

Bumpy trip

After being out of the limelight for years, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. picked Gutierrez as member of the GSIS’ board of trustees in April 2023.

She took her oath earlier than Government Secretary Lucas Bersamin. This was no shock as a result of Gutierrez served in a number of capabilities below former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whom is then an ally of the Marcos Jr. administration.

However only a 12 months after her appointment, the GSIS management itself mentioned Gutierrez was not certified to take a seat as a GSIS board member “on the time of her appointment in April” 2023. GSIS President Jose Arnulfo Veloso mentioned this was based on their authorized conclusion after a “whistleblowing criticism” was filed in opposition to Gutierrez.

Gutierrez, in retaliation, mentioned a number of makes an attempt have been made to take away her from workplace since she began revealing alleged anomalies in GSIS operations.

Between October 14 and 15 of this 12 months, Gutierrez had tendered her resignation from GSIS, based on an Inquirer report. Then just a few weeks later, Gutierrez assumed her new position on the NCSC on November 4.

Gutierrez was Arroyo’s former chief presidential authorized counsel and chairperson of the Presidential Anti-Graft Fee. She additionally served as justice secretary in performing capability earlier than turning into the primary lady to move the highly effective Workplace of the Ombudsman.

In 2009, an impeachment case was filed to take away her from the workplace. This didn’t flourish below Arroyo’s time.

Issues modified when former president Benigno Aquino III took over and Gutierrez was later impeached by the Home of Representatives for allegedly not performing on corruption scandals throughout the Arroyo administration. Gutierrez was discovered to have “betrayed public belief.”

The Articles of Impeachment have been forwarded to the Senate, the place she would face a trial. Nonetheless, the previous ombudsman resigned even earlier than the impeachment trial might begin.

Will Marcos heed to the aged’s name to overview Gutierrez’s appointment? Will Gutierrez lose her authorities publish as soon as extra? – Rappler.com