JBC refuses to extend endorsement period for ombudsman candidates

MANILA, Philippines - The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) rejected yesterday calls to extend the period of endorsement for applicants for the next Ombudsman as the council got ready to screen 26 nominees.

The eight-man council chaired by Chief Justice Renato Corona had closed the filing of applications and turned down the request of the Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN) for an extension of the nomination period to give way to more applicants.

JBC member and House justice committee chair Rep. Neil Tupas Jr. said TAN’s request was denied because the council wants to expedite the selection process upon request of President Aquino.

He said the JBC is expected to complete the selection process and come up with the shortlist on July 4 that would be submitted to the President, who has until Aug. 4 to name the new Ombudsman.

The JBC had moved to officially start the screening process by coming up with an initial list of official candidates for Ombudsman.

Lawyer Ma. Victoria Gleoresty Guerra, acting chief of the Supreme Court’s public information office, told reporters in a press conference that the council would now invite the public to submit their support or objection to any of the bets.

“The official list of those candidates who are deemed prima facie (upon initial examination) qualified who will be interviewed by the JBC for the position of Ombudsman as well as their respective schedules of interview will be released this week,” she explained.

Guerra said the list would be published in two major newspapers and also uploaded to the JBC website, www.jbc.judiciary.gov.ph.

RA 6770 (Ombudsman law) requires the Ombudsman to be a “natural born citizen of the Philippines, at least 40 years old, member of the Philippine Bar, and must not have been a candidate for any elective national or local office in the immediate preceding election whether regular or special.”

The Ombudsman, who has a fixed term of seven years, must also have at least 10 years experience as a judge or law practitioner in the Philippines.

Deliberations of the JBC, however, are expected to focus on more crucial criterion provided in the law – that the Ombudsman to be appointed by the President should have “recognized probity and independence” from political influence – especially of the appointing authority.

The appointment of former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez in 2005 was widely criticized due to her close link to then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband Mike.

Among those nominated for Ombudsman is Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, who penned the Supreme Court (SC) ruling that paved the way for the impeachment of Gutierrez in the House of Representatives and who was handpicked by Aquino to administer his inaugural oath last year.

Also in the initial list are De la Salle law dean and Free Legal Assistance Group chair Jose Manuel Diokno and Alternative Law Group head Marlon Manuel.

The others are Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, Justice Undersecretary Leah Armamento, former justice undersecretary Jose Calida, former solicitor general Francisco Chavez, former ambassador Roy Señeres, former justice secretary Artemio Tuquero, Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol and Ombudsman prosecutor Wilbert Candelaria, crusading lawyer Ernesto Francisco, Court of Appeals Executive Justice for the Visayas Portia Alino-Hormachuelos, human rights lawyer Arno Sanidad, law professor Francis Jardeleza, Judge Amelia Infante, lawyers Alfredo Agawa, Pedro Aquino, Hubert Guevarra and Florencio Villarin.

Former chief justice Reynato Puno and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima were earlier nominated to the post, but both declined the endorsement.