Ex-Ombudsman Marcelo: I won't accept post in Aquino admin

Former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo on Wednesday said he would not to accept any government post that Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, the likely winner in the 2010 presidential elections, may offer him. Marcelo made the statement after former solicitor-general Frank Chavez alleged that Marcelo is jockeying for a government position in the incoming Aquino administration. "Hindi siguro kasi yung career ko di ba...I almost worked myself to death (Probably not, because during my career...I almost worked myself to death)," Marcelo said when asked on GMA News' Unang Hirit whether he would accept a government post if Aquino offers him one. Marcelo was Ombudsman from 2002 until late 2005 when he resigned due to health reasons.
Marcelo, the incumbent president of the Philippine Bar Association, has spoken against the Supreme Court's decision to allow President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint the replacement of erstwhile Chief Justice Reynato Puno. Puno's replacement, Renato Corona, took his oath as chief justice last Monday. Marcelo — who is a partner at the influential Villaraza Marcelo Cruz and Angcangco Law Office, also known as "The Firm" — said he would rather not give up private practice for now because three of his kids are in college. Chavez had earlier accused Marcelo of wanting to be included in the powerful Judicial and Bar Council, the eight-man body constitutionally mandated to screen nominees for vacant judicial positions. But Marcelo said Chavez was "just being fed wrong information by the wrong people." Marcelo said he wants to limit his role in government to forming a think-tank — together with the Transparency and Accountability Network — that would present an "anti-corruption program" to Aquino. Despite Marcelo's denials, Chavez maintained on Wednesday that the former Ombudsman and another "The Firm" partner, former Defense Secretary Avelino Cruz, are eyeing government positions.
In a separate interview on Unang Hirit, Chavez also questioned Marcelo's plan to present an anti-corruption program to Aquino. "Nung panahon ni Gloria talagang napakatindi ng corruption, bakit hindi niya ginawan ng paraan non, bakit ngayon lang (During Gloria's time corruption was so prevalent, why didn't he address that then? Why address it just now?)" Chavez said. Chavez had previously accused Marcelo and Cruz of opposing Corona's appointment only because they want Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who was once part of The Firm, to be chosen as the next chief justice. "They are so noisy, demanding that the Supreme Court should've not appointed a new chief justice. They're doing that because they're pushing for one of the founders of their firm," said Chavez. [See: Noynoy warned vs appointing Cruz, Marcelo to Cabinet] — Johanna Camille Sisante/RSJ, GMANews.TV