Apostol endorsed as Ombudsman

CEBU, Philippines - Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Pelagio Apostol accepted the endorsement of the Council for the Restoration of Filipino Values to become Ombudsman.

Apostol was endorsed by the CRFV led by Deputy Secretary General Crisanta Gabriel to the Judicial and Bar Council Office of Recruitment Selection and Nomination.

CRFV said they believe Apostol is a person of impeccable and unquestionable integrity and moral ascendancy.

“We therefore nominate Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Pelagio Apostol to be the next Ombudsman as his records speak for himself and we have very closely worked and partnered with him in the cause of corruption prevention,” endorsement letter read.

Earlier Apostol said he was open for the position as he was qualified to become Ombudsman but claimed he will not endorse himself.

Merceditas Gutierrez resigned as Ombudsman last May 6, 2011 following controversies.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima yesterday maintained she had no interest to be the next Ombudsman.

“I already told the president that I’m declining the nomination,” De Lima said.

De Lima said she would be of better service to President Aquino if she stays put at the Department of Justice.

“I feel I could be more effective here in DOJ, which is broader in scope. I feel I can do a lot more here,” she said.

De Lima said she would send a letter to the JBC, where she sits as a regular member, officially declining the nomination to replace former Gutierrez.

De Lima was nominated for Ombudsman before the JBC by Assistant State Prosecutor Romeo Senson.

Senson said De Lima is most qualified to head the anti-graft agency. Senson was the prosecutor who approved the indictment of the “Morong 43” suspected to be communist rebels but whose decision De Lima reversed.

Malacañang, however, sees it the other way around – seeing De Lima as the administration’s super weapon in the war against corruption.

“I think Secretary De Lima is fit for the job. I think many of the crooks would think twice if Secretary De Lima would be appointed to the Office of the Ombudsman because of her qualifications,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

De Lima was chairwoman of the Commission on Human Rights before she was appointed by President Aquino to head the DOJ.

De Lima used to be an election lawyer before she was appointed to several posts. Since President Aquino assumed office in June 2010, De Lima had also been enjoying high popularity and trust ratings, emerging as the topnotcher in the Cabinet.

Valte, however, begged off from commenting whether Aquino would pick De Lima for the job.

“That I cannot tell. I would not like to preempt (the president). I cannot say at this point,” she said.

“This is without prejudice that might arise between Secretary de Lima and the President. Because there’s a screening process at the JBC which includes the interview on the nominee,” she said. (FREEMAN)