Woman, 8 men vying for ombudsman post

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has lined up for interview a woman and eight men, including Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Samuel Martires, on June 20 for the post to be vacated by Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales.

The JBC is looking for a replacement for the 76-year-old Morales, who is due to end her term on July 26. She was appointed as ombudsman by former president Benigno Aquino III on July 28, 2011.

On Wednesday, the JBC has scheduled Bello, SandiRoom ganbayan Justice Efren dela Cruz, President Duterte’s lawyer Edna Herrera-Batacan and lawyers Rey Nathaniel Ifufurung and Rainier Madrid for the 9 a.m. to noon interview.

For the afternoon schedule, four applicants will be interviewed: Martires, lawyers Felito Ramirez and Rex Rico and Special Prosecutor Edilberto Sandoval.

The JBC said there is a 10th contender for the ombudsman post – Judge Carlos Espero II – but there was no need to interview him on June 20 since it was only last June 14 when he was interviewed for the position of SC associate justice.

The JBC said the interview of the nine applicants will be held at the Division Hearing of the SC Main Building.

Edgar Aricheta, SC clerk of court and JBC ex-officio secretary, said the council is encouraging those who have valid complaints against any of the candidates to come forward.

“The public may submit to the JBC a sworn complaint, report or opposition against any of the aforesaid candidates either through personal delivery or mail addressed to the JBC, 2nd Floor, Centennial Building, Supreme Court, Padre Faura Street Manila,” Aricheta said.

The public may also call 552-9512 or send fax through 02-552-9607 or send an email at jbc@sc.judiciary.gov. ph and jbc87supremecourt@ gmail.com.