MANILA -- The President could face impeachment himself if he continues campaigning against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, the leader of the House minority said Tuesday.

Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said the President's public statements that Gutierrez must be removed from office violates the separation of powers.

"By actively, publicly and incessantly campaigning for the impeachment of the Ombudsman, President Aquino has violated the Constitution which exclusively reserves to and vests on Congress the power to impeach and convict impeachable officials," he explained.

Lagman said Aquino "invaded the exclusive prerogative of the House of Representatives" when he called on allies at the House to get Gutierrez impeached.

The minority leader said the President is "galvanizing public opinion for the conviction of the Ombudsman," and that by doing so, is intruding on the Senate's authority to judge impeachment cases.

"The President must desist from culpable violation of the Constitution in his merciless penchant to oust the Ombudsman," he warned. (Jonathan de Santos/Sunnex)