JBC to interview ombudsman candidates

MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will conduct public interviews of the candidates for the position of ombudsman from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2 following the compulsory retirement of Ombudsman Samuel Martires last month.

The JBC said candidates will undergo a public interview at the Supreme Court session hall.

Former Commission on Audit chairman Michael Aguinaldo, Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Romeo Benitez, JVC Law Office lawyer Jonie Caroche-Vestido and retired Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Stephen Cruz will be interviewed on Aug. 28.

Those to be interviewed on Aug. 29 are Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, Commision on Human Rights Commissioner Beda Espres, Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan and former Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares.

Meanwhile, Office of the President Deputy Executive Secretary Anna Liza Logan, retired SC Associate Justice Mario Lopez, PDP-Laban secretary general Melvin Matibag and Sandigdanbayan Associate Justice Michael Frederick Musngi will be interviewed on Sept. 1.

The last batch of interviewees are Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman Felix Reyes, Daraga, Albay Municipal Trial Court presiding Judge Jason Rodenas and Regional Trial Court retired judge Benjamin Turgano, scheduled on Sept. 2.