Imagine appointing a leader with a checkered past to champion the rights of the elderly – and that's the heated debate swirling around Merceditas Gutierrez's latest move. But here's where it gets controversial: despite her history of controversies, she's stepping into a new role that directly impacts millions of seniors. Let's dive deeper into this story and uncover the layers that have some folks up in arms.
Merceditas Gutierrez has transitioned from her position on the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) board to becoming the new head of the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC). For those new to these terms, the GSIS is a government-run insurance program that provides financial security for public employees, much like a pension fund, while the NCSC is the agency dedicated to protecting and advancing the welfare of older adults in the Philippines. However, not everyone is thrilled about her shift into this influential spot.
A group called 'Seniors on the Move' has launched a petition on change.org, voicing strong disapproval of Gutierrez's appointment. They refer to her as an 'impeached official' who allegedly failed to address widespread corruption during her time as Ombudsman. To put it simply, the Ombudsman is like a watchdog for government integrity, ensuring fairness and rooting out wrongdoing. The petitioners question whether this rushed appointment is fair to seniors, who deserve leaders with spotless records.
'Do our senior citizens really deserve a leader like this – someone who's been through impeachment and reportedly neglected their duty to combat corruption?' the group asks pointedly. They urge the Office of the President to revoke her appointment, reopen the nomination process as mandated by Republic Act No. 11350 (the National Senior Citizens Act), and convene a general assembly of senior citizens' organizations to select a more suitable NCSC leader. And this is the part most people miss: this act outlines the commission's role in rolling out programs for seniors' health, financial stability, and overall quality of life.
The NCSC consists of a chairperson and six commissioners, each serving six-year terms. Candidates must meet strict criteria, including being Filipino citizens, at least 60 years old, of good moral character, active in senior citizen groups, holding a college degree or relevant experience, in good health, mentally sound, free from convictions for serious crimes, and nominated by a senior citizens' assembly. Gutierrez's path to this role seems to sidestep some of these requirements, sparking debates about fairness and accountability.
Rappler reached out to Gutierrez for her side of the story, and we'll keep you updated as soon as we hear back.
Gutierrez's journey hasn't been smooth. After years out of the spotlight, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. named her to the GSIS board in April 2023. She was sworn in by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, and her ties to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo – a key ally of the current administration – might explain the pick. But just one year later, GSIS officials claimed she wasn't qualified from the start, citing a whistleblower complaint that led to a legal review.
Gutierrez fired back, claiming attempts to oust her stemmed from her exposing irregularities in GSIS operations. She resigned from GSIS in mid-October, according to reports, and swiftly took on her NCSC role on November 4. Her background is impressive yet fraught: she served as Arroyo's chief legal counsel, headed the Presidential Anti-Graft Commission, acted as justice secretary, and became the first woman to lead the Ombudsman.
In 2009, an impeachment bid against her during Arroyo's presidency fizzled out. But under President Benigno Aquino III, the House impeached her for allegedly ignoring corruption scandals from the Arroyo era, accusing her of breaching public trust. The case went to the Senate for trial, but she resigned beforehand.
Will President Marcos listen to the seniors' pleas and reconsider this appointment? Could Gutierrez face another exit from public office? What do you think – should past mistakes disqualify someone from future roles, or is there room for redemption? And here's a controversial twist: some argue that experienced figures like Gutierrez bring valuable insights, even if tainted. Do you agree, or does this undermine trust in leadership? Share your opinions in the comments – we'd love to hear your take!
