BENIGNO AQUINO won the presidential election almost exactly a year ago,promising to clean up the deep-rooted corruption that flourished under Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos, among others. At last he has something to show for his efforts. On April 29th he forced the resignation of the ombudsman, Merceditas Gutierrez, who is the state's chief prosecutor of official corruption. Mr Aquino clearly regarded Mrs Gutierrez as the chief protector of official corruption, but only Congress has the power to dismiss an ombudsman. So the president's congressional allies had her impeached. She was accused of failing to prosecute cases of alleged corruption within the administration of Mr Aquino's predecessor, Gloria Arroyo, who appointed her. Mrs Gutierrez denied any lapses, but resigned before the Senate could put her on trial.
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