“We are one more step closer to impeaching the Ombudsman, and one more step closer to holding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo accountable,” said Renato Reyes, secretary general of militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), one of the impeachment complainants.

Reyes said the overwhelming vote was also a move toward taking the former President to task for her past actions.

“We are ever more determined to see this through to its logical conclusion in the Senate,” he said in a statement, adding that he was looking forward to facing off with Gutierrez.

Those calling for the Ombudsman’s ouster say her continued stay in the anti-graft office means that Arroyo’s prosecution would not prosper.

Reyes agreed with pronouncements that Gutierrez’s trial at the Senate would be difficult for those wanting to unseat her.

The Bayan leader said the impeachment prosecutors from the House of Representatives would get the full support of the complainants in preparing the witnesses and evidence.

“In the Senate, we have more time to present evidence and witnesses unlike in the committee hearings at the Lower House,” Reyes said. “More details of Gloria’s scams and the Ombudsman’s inaction will surface.”

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima Tuesday said public opinion against the Ombudsman was the “secret” behind her successful impeachment.

“The people have spoken through their representatives. That was clearly an exercise of democracy and sovereignty. That’s the secret of the voting because the people were behind it,” De Lima said in a press conference when asked to comment on Gutierrez’s reaction.

“Public opinion was definitely in favor of this move. And I’d like to think that these congressmen, whether these are the district congressmen or the party-list representatives, consulted their respective constituencies before they cast their vote because it was evident,” she said.

De Lima and Gutierrez have been at odds since the justice secretary criticized the plea bargain between the Office of the Ombudsman and retired military general Carlos Garcia who was charged with plunder.

Two Catholic bishops Tuesday launched a movement that would closely monitor the trial proceedings in the Senate.

Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez and Novaliches Bishop Antonio Tobias, who belong to the multisectoral Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya, will lead the “Impeach Merceditas Gutierrez” movement to ensure that the process would be properly carried out.

“We are just going to observe what will happen in the Senate and monitor if the process of impeachment is properly implemented,” Iñiguez told the Inquirer in a phone interview Tuesday.

Leila Salaverria, Phil. Daily Inquirer