JBC sets public interviews for 27 Ombudsman nominees

Published May 26, 2011 3:24pm

The Judicial and Bar Council on Thursday announced the schedule of the public interviews for the final 27 aspirants to the position of Ombudsman, which was vacated by Merceditas Gutierrez last May 6. An announcement posted on the JBC's website said the following candidates will be interviewed on the following dates: June 22, Wednesday

Alfredo Agawa, judge;

Philip Aguinaldo, judge;

Pelagio Apostol, former deputy Ombudsman for Visayas;

Leah Armamento, Justice undersecretary;

Procopio Beltran Jr., lawyer; June 23, Thursday

Emmanuel Bonoan, lawyer;

Jose Calida, former Justice undersecretary;

Howard Calleja, lawyer for suspended Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Zaldy Ampatuan;

Felix Carao, lawyer;

Conchita Carpio-Morales, Supreme Court associate justice who will retire on June 19; June 27, Monday

Orlando Casimiro, acting Ombudsman;

Francisco Chavez, former Solicitor General;

Jose Manuel Diokno, national chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group and De La Salle University College of Law dean;

Donato Faylona, lawyer;

Ernesto Francisco, advocacy lawyer; June 28, Tuesday

Raymundo Francisco, lawyer;

Catalino Generillo Jr., lawyer;

Portia Hormachuelos, Court of Appeals associate justice;

Francis Jardeleza, ;awyer;

Marlon Manuel, public interest lawyer and head of the Alternative Law Groups; June 29, Wednesday

Gerard Mosquera, lawyer;

Divinagracia Ongkeko, judge;

Renan Ramos, lawyer;

Roy Seneres, former Ambassador and National Labor Relations Commission chair;

Artemio Tuquero, former Justice secretary; and

Florencio Villarin The JBC is the body that vets, screens, and recommends to the President nominees to posts in the judiciary and nominees to the positions of Ombudsman and deputy Ombudsman. Under the 1987 Constitution, the President has to appoint a new Ombudsman 90 days after the post is vacated. Because Gutierrez relinquished her seat last May 6, President Benigno Aquino III has until August 4 to appoint a new Ombudsman from the shortlist to be submitted by the JBC. - Sophia Dedace/KBK, GMA News

Tags: ombudsman, judicialandbarcouncil