JBC shortlists 4 nominees for Ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines – The Judicial Bar Council (JBC) has released the short list of four nominees, including former Supreme Court Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, for the position of Ombudsman.

JBC ex-oficio member Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., chairman of the House Justice Committee, said that aside from Morales, former Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero Jr., Justice Undersecretary Leah Armamento and Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) associate commissioner Gerard Mosquera are also listed.

Tupas said in a radio interview that the eight members of the JBC were allowed to choose 5 names from the list of all candidates, an agreement reached upon after a debate because others proposed that each member could choose only 3 names.

During the voting, all candidates got five votes each.

Tupas said it was first time that there was a four-way tie among the nominees for Ombudsman.

"Lots of lobbying were also at work," he said.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, a JBC member, said she voted for Carpio-Morales who she believes is the most fit for the job because of her "high sense of independence."

While Carpio-Morales who swore President Benigno Aquino III to office is believed to be the frontrunner for the position, the names would still be submitted to the president who will select the next Ombudsman from the short list. (From philstar.com, Vox Bikol)