Environmentalists on Monday threw their support on Monday behind public interest lawyer Marlon Manuel as the “People’s Ombudsman." The environmentalists sent a letter to Chief Justice Renato Corona, who chairs the Judicial Bar Council (JBC), to voice support for Manuel. “At 41, Atty. Manuel will not only hit the ground running, but also complete the arduous job of the Ombudsman with nothing but the interest of our country and our people in mind," they said in the letter, excerpts of which were posted Monday on the blog site of the EcoWaste Coalition. They also noted Manuel's career as a public interest litigator, a human rights educator and as a social justice and environmental defender. Among those endorsing Manuel’s appointment were:
Fr. Peter Montallana, recipient of the 2011 “Father Neri Satur Award for Environmental Heroism"; Manny Calonzo, recipient of the 2009 “Gawad Bayani ng Kalikasan"; and Von Hernandez, 2007 "Time Hero for the Environment" and recipient of the 2003 “Goldman Environmental Prize for Asia." Also backing Manuel’s nomination were environmentalists Noli Abinales, Betty Cabazares, Lia Esquillo, Rodne Galicha, Albert Gavino, Romy Hidalgo, Neneng Jocson, Marie Marciano, Atty. Amang Mejia, Dr. Helen Mendoza, Sonia Mendoza, Dr. Leah Primitiva Paquiz, Rene Pineda, and Atty. Gloria Ramos. “Atty. Manuel’s steadfast advocacy for the least and the last in our society, his consistent defense of the poor against the excesses of the wealthy and influential proves he will be not be swayed by fear, favor or riches as Ombudsman," said Mejia, a lawyer of EcoWaste. The environmentalists gave Manuel high marks for “his deep appreciation of the struggles and hopes of the poor, including their yearning for a clean and responsive government," which makes him “a most fitting representative of the public" they said. “As the ‘people’s Ombudsman’ who is not beholden to business or political interests, we can expect him to execute law and justice with resolve, fairness and speed and with the national welfare in mind," said Dr. Helen Mendoza, a respected climate action and justice advocate. “Atty. Manuel’s track record that combines litigation, policy reform and community outreach, including the provision of human rights education to the grassroots, has contributed to his authentic understanding of the needs and aspirations of the common tao," the environmental leaders noted. They also said President Benigno Aquino III's anti-corruption “Social Contract" with Filipinos “will benefit from having a much younger lawyer who is ready and able to fulfill the exacting job associated with being the country’s Ombudsman.“ Manuel is the Coordinator of the Alternative Law Groups (ALG), a coalition of twenty groups involved in social development-oriented legal assistance and practice. He also teaches at the Ateneo de Manila University School of Law and at the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law. Former Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) undersecretary Hector Soliman and former Commission on Elections chairman Christian Monsod separately nominated Manuel as Ombudsman to the JBC. - VVP, GMA News 
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