JBC opens applications for OMB, SC justice

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened applications for the successor of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales and an upcoming vacancy at the Supreme Court (SC) due to the retirement of Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr.

SC Clerk of Court and JBC Ex Officio Secretary Edgar Aricheta announced that the JBC will continue to accept the applications for the posts until May 2.

The JBC made the announcement considering that the term of Morales will end this July 26, while, Velasco will compulsory retire this August 8.

“The date of actual receipt by the JBC of the applications and complete requirements shall be deemed as the date of filing,” read the announcement dated March 16.

“Qualifications of applicants shall be reckoned from the said deadline,” added the JBC.

Morales was appointed to head the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) in July, 2011 by then president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Prior her appointment as Ombudsman, Morales served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court (SC) since 2002.

She first entered the judiciary in 1983 as was also trial court judge in Pili, Camarines Sur then to Pasay City. In 1994, Morales got appointed to the Court of Appeals (CA) where she eventually headed its 7th Division.

On the other hand, Velasco served as SC Associate Justice since 2006 after having been SC Court Administrator for five years.