Group expresses support for Gutierrez

MANILA, Philippines - Members of the Multi-Sectoral Anti-Corruption Council (MSACC) yesterday expressed support for embattled Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and urged her not to resign despite the clamor from some sectors for her resignation due to her alleged failure to curb graft and corruption.

In a statement signed during a Medium-Term Strategic Planning Workshop at the Subic International Hotel, the MSACC supported Gutierrez and other officials of the Office of the Ombudsman.

The MSACC is a convergence of anti-corruption advocates headed by the Office of the Ombudsman and composed of 30 members from various branches of government and other sectors. 

The signatories to the statement include representatives from the Employer’s Confederation of the Philippines, Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce, Evelio B. Javier Foundation, Moral Recovery Officers Foundation, University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance, Imam Council of the Philippines, and the Philippine Association of Professional Regulatory Boards.

Representatives of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, Tri-Media Professionals Association, National Press Club, Office of the President, the Senate, the House of Representatives, Supreme Court, Sandiganbayan, Commission on Audit, Liga ng mga Barangay, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and the National Youth Council also signed.

MSACC serves as a “consultative and coordinating body” for the National Anti-Corruption Program of Action (NACPA) and is a mechanism for consultation and coordination among key anti-corruption stakeholders.

MSACC members include representatives from the executive department, legislative, judiciary, constitutional bodies, the youth, media, interfaith groups, civil society organizations, non-government organizations, local government units, academe, professional groups, the business community and government financial institutions.

The MSACC members urged Gutierrez to continue leading the fight against corruption by “being a paragon of independence and objectivity, standing up for the rule of law, and most importantly, being on the side of right.”   –Michael Punongbayan, Aurea Calica