DOJ prosecutor nominates De Lima for Ombudsman post

A Department of Justice prosecutor has nominated his boss, Secretary Leila de Lima, for Ombudsman, the post vacated by Merceditas Gutierrez last week. In a letter sent to the Judicial and Bar Council last Monday, Assistant State Prosecutor Romeo B. Senson said De Lima deserved to be the Ombudsman because of her "incorruptible stand, integrity beyond reproach, and character par excellence in serving the public." "Prior to her appointment as our DOJ secretary, her stint with the Commission on Human Rights was exceptionally commendable. Even if her appointment will surely be a loss to the Justice Department, the same is more for the betterment of the Filipino people in general," Senson said. The JBC is the body that vets, screens, and recommends to the President appointees to the position of Ombudman and deputy Ombudsman. But the council, which opened the application period for Ombudsman aspirants last Friday, said those who are recommended for the post must give their indication they are accepting the nomination. While De Lima may have been nominated by her subordinate, the Justice secretary had said that she is not keen on seeking the position. "Theoretically, yes [I can apply] but I already said I'm not interested. I've been here for less than a year, right? I'm just only starting out, and there are a lot of problems, a lot of challenges. And I feel it would be more fulfilling. The mandate of the DOJ is broader, so I feel I can do a lot more," De Lima said last week. In March this year, the House of Representatives impeached Gutierrez after finding sufficient grounds that the Ombudsman betrayed public trust because of her supposed inaction on the fertilizer fund scam, among others. On April 29, or 10 days before the Senate impeachment trial was set to begin, Gutierrez tendered her resignation to President Benigno Aquino III in Malacañang. Her resignation took effect May 6. — Sophia Dedace/RSJ, GMA News