Special prosecutors seek resignation of Villa-Ignacio

MANILA, Philippines - A group of deputy special prosecutors from the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday called for the resignation of Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa-Ignacio, a radio report said. In a press conference at the Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, the prosecutors denied Villa-Ignacio’s claim that politics and mismanagement at the anti-graft body were the reasons for the drop in its conviction rate. They said Villa-Ignacio merely made up his statements and that he, and not the Office of the Ombudsman, was the one suffering from various "problems." In a separate radio report, Villa-Igancio was quoted as saying that the press conference of the special prosecutors was just part of an operation to oust him. Villa-Ignacio said the group was targeting his daughter, lawyer Monique Villa-Igancio, whom he has appointed as his executive secretary. In the San Juan press conference, the prosecutors lamented how Villa-Ignacio managed to destroy the reputation and integrity of the Office of the Ombudsman. They said his attacks were already becoming personal and were doing nothing but lower the morale of employees at the Office of the Ombudsman. "For me, if you destroy your office, you destroy your institution. The prudent thing (to do) is to get out of that office," deputy special prosecutor Jesus Micael said. The group challenged Villa-Ignacio to fulfill the promise he once made that he would resign if ever President Gloria Arroyo would pardon deposed President Joseph Estrada. The President pardoned Estrada shortly after the former Philippine leader's conviction in September last year. "He needs to do what he promised. (The promise to resign was) coming from him. He said that," said Micael. The group claimed no political figure was behind their decision to seek Villa-Ignacio’s resignation. - GMANews.TV