BISHOPS urged Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez to either take a leave of absence or resign from her post while the government watchdog conducts investigation on the NBN-ZTE controversy.

“What I recommend is for the present Ombudsman to take a leave of absence so that the case can prosper…” Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes said over Radio Veritas 846.

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He added that it is worth pursuing this case “to settle all doubts for the benefit of our country.”

On the other hand, Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani asked Gutierrez to resign.

“I do not expect fairness from Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. She should resign first,” he said.

With this, Bacani called on the Senate to exclude NBN-ZTE whistleblowers Rodolfo Jun Lozada and Jose de Venecia III from the case, saying they are the ones who exposed the scam.

On Tuesday, the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee led by Senator Richard Gordon recommended the filing of graft charges against Lozada and de Venecia III, over the anomalous contract with China’s ZTE Corporation.

The senator said Lozada and de Venecia were included in the charge sheet since they actively participated in the project.

Aside from the whistleblowers, the panel also recommended the filing of graft charges against nine others, including First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, former National Economic and Development Authority chairman Romulo Neri and then elections chairman Benjamin Abalos. (FP/Sunnex)