P-Noy urged to give JBC a free hand in ombudsman shortlist

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino was urged yesterday to give the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) a free hand in coming up with the short list of candidates to replace former ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.

House of Representatives Minority Leader Edcel Lagman said Aquino has made known his preference for retiring Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales.

Some consider Carpio-Morales, who is turning 70 on June 19, too old for the rigors of the job of ombudsman.

The JBC is set to interview Carpio-Morales on June 23.

Lagman said the JBC might be pressured into voting for Aquino’s choice in making their recommendation.

“President Aquino should not be making any body language which could send signals to the JBC he is already decided on his choice for the ombudsman,” he said. “Members of the JBC could be forced to toe his line or even be pressured to recommend the President’s own choice.”

Reports said among those being considered to replace Gutierrez are Justice Undersecretary Leah Armamento, Free Legal Assistance Group chairman Jose Manuel Diokno, and Alternative Law Group chief Marlon Manuel.

Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro took over on an acting capacity from Gutierrez after her resignation took effect last May 5.

Twenty-six other official candidates for ombudsman are set to be screened through public interviews on June 22, 23, 27, 28 and 29.

First to face the JBC on June 22 are Judge Alfredo Agawa, Judge Philip Aguinaldo, former deputy ombudsman for Visayas Pelagio Apostol, Justice Undersecretary Leah Armamento and lawyer Procopio Beltran Jr.

On the next day, five more nominees would be interviewed: lawyer Emmanuel Bonoan, former justice undersecretary Jose Calida, Ampatuan counsel Howard Calleja, lawyer Felix Carao Jr.

To be interviewed on June 27 are acting Ombudsman and Overall Deputy Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, former solicitor general Francisco Chavez, De la Salle law dean and Free Legal Assistance Group chairman Jose Manuel Diokno, and lawyers Donato Faylona and Ernesto Francisco Jr.

They would be followed by lawyers Raymundo Francisco, and Catalino Generillo Jr., Court of Appeals Justice Portia Hormachuelos, Judge Amelia Infante, lawyer Francis Jardeleza, and Alternative Law Group head Marlon Manuel on June 28.

The JBC will interview on June 29 lawyer Gerard Mosquera, Judge Divinagracia Ongkeko, lawyer Renan Ramos, former ambassador and National Labor Relations Commission chairman Roy Señeres, former JBC member Artemio Tuquero and Florecio Villarin.

Under Republic Act 6770 or the Ombudsman Act, Aquino has until Aug. 6 to make the appointment.