Four more candidates vie for Ombudsman post

Four more candidates — one a metropolitan trial court lawyer and another a human rights lawyer — are vying for the post of outgoing Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo, whose resignation will take effect on Nov. 30.

Among the lawyers vying for the post are Arno Sanidad of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), a certain MTC judge Bravo and private practitioners Arturo de Castro and Florencio Villarin, sources disclosed yesterday.

This brings to 14 the total number of candidates before the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) which will scrutinize the applications and nominees to be included in the shortlist to be submitted to President Arroyo for appointment.

The JBC published last month the names of the 10 Ombudsman candidates but came out with another advertisement announcing the Oct. 31 deadline for the submission of applications and nominations.

Among the contenders are anti-corruption czar Merceditas Gutierrez, who is also chief presidential legal counsel; Sandiganbayan Justice Diosdado Peralta, Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Victor Fernandez and Chief Special Prosecutor Dennis Villa Ignacio.

Others include Court of Appeals Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando, Overall Deputy Ombudsman Margarito Gervacio, Assistant Court Administrator Christopher Lock, Davao del Sur Rep. Douglas Cagas and private lawyers Nicodemo Ferrer and Gualberto de la Llana.

Gutierrez was nominated by retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Vitug, Fernando was endorsed by former Court of Appeals presiding Justice Romeo Brawner, who was later nominated to the Commission on Elections.

Sources said the Carpio and Villaraza law firm, known in political circles as "The Firm," is pushing for the appointment of Fernandez, a member of the Sigma Rho fraternity of the UP College of Law where Marcelo and Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio also belong.

Meantime, Peralta, a former Quezon City regional trial court judge, is reportedly banking on the influence of spouses Carlos and Erlinda de Leon, special assistants to President Arroyo, who have helped numerous lawyers with their appointments to the judiciary.

The JBC, whose members include Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, is expected to conduct hearings and scrutinize the qualifications and integrity of the candidates who will serve out Marcelo’s remaining term.

Citing health reasons, Marcelo tendered his "irrevocable resignation" effective Nov. 30.

In a one-page letter he submitted to President Arroyo, Marcelo said his duties as the government’s chief graftbuster required him to work seven days a week, which he claimed has "exacted a heavy toll on my health, leaving me physically and mentally exhausted." — Delon Porcalla