Bello admits bid for Ombudsman post a ‘long shot’

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. (File photo from GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III has admitted that his appointment as the next Ombudsman may be a “long shot.”

The Labor chief is currently among the 10 aspirants vying to replace outgoing Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales once she retires in July.

“I know that I’m presently a Secretary, and maybe [Duterte] wouldn’t like it if I would aspire for another position,” Bello said in Filipino during a news forum on Friday.

Bello also admitted that Duterte may not like his application for the position, claiming that he applied for the position at the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) without telling the President.

But this appeared not to be the case when Bello earlier said that he had informed Duterte of his application as Ombudsman since he wanted the President to stop asking him to run for Senate.

READ: Bello says he has no pending cases before Ombudsman

“I told him [Duterte] I am applying for the job [as Ombudsman],” the Labor chief said following his public interview before the JBC.

He had also disclosed in a television interview in May that he told Duterte to “make me Ombudsman” so he could help the government fight corruption.

READ: Bello to Duterte: ‘Make me Ombudsman’

“I keep telling the President. Ang sabi niya, ang kanyang krusada ay laban sa corruption, tapos ang sabi ko: ‘Tulungan kita.’ Ang sabi niya: ‘Paano naman?’ Gawin mo akong Ombudsman,” Bello said on ABS-CBN’s “Bandila.”

Morales is set to vacate her office when she retires in July after serving seven years as Ombudsman. With a report from Kristine Macasiray / INQUIRER.net intern / jpv