JBC closes nomination for Ombudsman

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has closed the nomination and application for the position of Ombudsman which will become vacant when the term of Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ends in July.

Morales, 76, a retired high court justice was appointed by former President Benigno Aquino III in 2011 following the resignation of Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

A source revealed that among those nominated for the Ombudsman post include members of the judiciary, a Cabinet secretary, and a law school classmate of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Other applicants and nominees reportedly include Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Special Prosecutor and former Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Edilberto Sandoval, Davao City regional trial court judges Carlos Espero II and Rowen Apao-Adlawan, President Duterte’s lawyer Edna Batacan and Duterte’s law school classmate Rex Rico.

Also among those reportedly nominated are Supreme Court Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr. and Teresita Leonardo De Castro. The two Justices will retire in August and October, respectively.

However, the source claimed that De Castro has already turned down the nomination while Velasco has yet to respond to the nomination.

“It is my most earnest hope that your search for worthy nominees for the next Ombudsman will be successful. I wish you the best in the discharge of your constitutionally ordained duties,” said De Castro in declining the nomination of retired Associate Justice Arturo Brion.

Solicitor General Jose Calida and House Majority Floor Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas turned down their nominations.

Under the JBC rules, before a nomination is considered, the nominator must attach a conforme from the nominee. /vvp