Palace welcomes initial list of Ombudsman nominees

Malacañang on Wednesday welcomed the initial list of nominees for the Ombudsman post but refused to name its preference, saying the Judicial and Bar Council still has to go through the list. "The names of the nominees, candidates po sa posisyon ng Ombudsman ay pawang magagaling po. So magaganda po ang mga nominado ngayon but we still have to wait po for the JBC to interview the applicants," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in an interview. "I can name a few na talagang magagaling po —sina (De La Salle University law school dean Jose Manuel) Chel Diokno, (public interest lawyer) Marlon Manuel, Frank Chavez, Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales," he added. After interviewing the candidates, the JBC will submit to President Benigno Aquino III a shortlist from which the latter will choose the new Ombudsman. Lacierda believed the public now realizes the need for a very strong Ombudsman, "one who will really police the ranks of the government officials." "So we welcome, again, the names of the nominees po. We have no preference one way or the other yet because nga dadaan po ‘yan sa JBC," he said. Asked if it will be hard for the President to choose the next Ombudsman because of the highly-qualified candidates, Lacierda said Aquino will make his decision once the JBC gives him the shortlist. Those who have declined their nominations were former Chief Justice Reynato Puno; Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who also happens to be a member of the JBC; and University of the Philippines law professor Harry Roque. Under the 1987 Constitution, the President has 90 days to fill up the vacancy. Former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez's resignation took effect on May 6. In this case, President Aquino must appoint a new Ombudsman by Aug. 4, 2011. The new Ombudsman will get a full seven-year term, pursuant to the Ombudsman Act of 1989. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News