JBC adjusts schedule for Ombudsman, judiciary posts deliberations

MANILA, Philippines — The deliberations for the positions of Ombudsman and other vacant posts of the judiciary have been adjusted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

In a message to reporters on Thursday, September 17, Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting said the deliberations were adjusted to allow more time for Sen. Kiko Pangilinan to review the application documents. 

“This adjustment covers not only the Ombudsman post but also other vacancies currently being processed by the JBC,” Ting said in a message to reporters.

The deliberations were originally set on Friday, September 19.

Pangilinan became the ex-officio member of the JBC following his appointment as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights.

On August 28, Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano was with the other members of the JBC during the interviews for the Ombudsman position.

However, following Pangilinan’s appointment as chairman of the committee on September 10, Cayetano will no longer be representing the Congress in the JBC.

Who are the members of the JBC? Members of the JBC are mandated under Article VIII, Section 8 (1) of the 1987 Constitution:

A Judicial and Bar Council is hereby created under the supervision of the Supreme Court composed of the Chief Justice as ex officio Chairman, the Secretary of Justice, and a representative of the Congress as ex officio Members, a representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired Member of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the private sector.