Davide wants to work with NGOs after retiring

Supreme Court chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. said he wants to work with non-governmental organizations after his retirement because he already served the government for several years.

This as he turned down yesterday the endorsement of Senate majority floor leader Francis Pangilinan for him to be the next ombudsman after he retires from the judiciary.

"I have no plans yet after my retirement. I want to rest," Davide told reporters who sought for his reaction over Pangilinan's endorsement.

Davide also said there are many people capable of being the next ombudsman.

Pangilinan endorsed Davide, who is set to retire on his 70th birthday on December 20, as replacement to Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo, who resigned from his post weeks ago.

The Cebuano Supreme Court chief justice, a native of barangay Colawin, Argao town, announced that he would be happy to retire because he made many improvements to the judiciary.

Davide, who assumed the High Tribunal's top post on November 30, 1998, became popular when he presided over the aborted impeachment trial of former president Joseph Estrada then swore in President Gloria Arroyo after Estrada was ousted.

Pangilinan said Davide's possible appointment to be the next Ombudsman is not a demotion for the chief justice because the ombudsman and Supreme Court are both independent offices.

He said the ombudsman carries the same prestige as the Supreme Court as it is also a constitutionally created body.

Before his appointment as chief justice, Davide used to head the Commission on Elections, another independent body, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention which drafted the 1987 Constitution. - Rene U. Borromeo