Ombudsman aspirants can send applications until May 16 - JBC

The Judicial and Bar Council has opened the application process for those who wish to replace Merceditas Gutierrez as the next Ombudsman. The JBC is the constitutional body that vets, screens, and recommends to the President nominees to judicial posts and the positions of Ombudsman and deputy Ombudsman. In an announcement published in The Philippine Star, the council gave interested parties until May 16 to submit six copies of their applications or recommendations. The submissions should be sent to the JBC Secretariat at the second floor of the Supreme Court's Centennial Building in Manila. Recommendees, on the other hand, should indicate their acceptance of the recommendation in the recommendation letter or in a separate document. The JBC said the applicants and recommendees must also submit the following requirements on or before May 20:

• Six copies of personal data sheet with recent 2x2 ID picture, transcript of school records, certificate of admission to the Bar with Bar rating. The personal data sheet, or the JBC Form 1, is downloadable from the council's website;
• Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth for the past two years;
• Income tax return for the past two years;
• 2011 clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation, Office of the Ombudsman, Philippine National Police from place of residence, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Office of the Bar Confidant, and employer
• Certificate of Good Standing or latest official receipt from the IBP national treasurer;
• Affidavit that the applicant was not a candidate in the immediately preceding election;
• Proofs of age and Filipino citizenship; and
• Results of medical examination and sworn medical certificate with impressions on such results, both conducted or issued within two months prior to the filing of application.