MANILA -- Malacanang is studying options to remove Merceditas Gutierrez from the Office of the Ombudsman believing that the current independent body will remain partial in dealing with the case of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Friday the Aquino administration has been skeptical on several decisions made by Gutierrez that favored the former First Couple.

Lacierda stressed that until Gutierrez is heading the Ombudsman, there will still be no justice in the cases hounding Arroyo including the fertilizer fund scam, which is being exhumed due to comeback of former Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo.

“Dahil may malapit na relationship si Ombudsman Gutierrez kay Pangulong Arroyo kaya hindi pa natin makukuha ang hustisya sa pangkasalukuyang Ombudsman,” he said.

He said they are currently discussing several options to oust Gutierrez from her post including impeachment, early retirement and voluntary resignation from the Ombudsman chief.

He added that they studying the legality of Gutierrez’s term.

Gutierrez was appointed by Arroyo. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)