MANILA, Philippines – The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has transmitted its shortlist of Ombudsman candidates to the Office of the President for selection, the Supreme Court (SC) announced on Monday, October 6.

Here are the short-listed candidates, according to the JBC:

• Philippine Competition Commission chairperson Michael Aguinaldo
• PHLPost chairperson Stephen Cruz
• SC Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan
• Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs Anna Liza Logan
• Retired SC associate justice Mario Lopez
• Sandiganbayan 4th Division chairperson Michael Frederick Musngi
• Department of Justice (DOJ) chief Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla

From this list, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will pick the Ombudsman following the retirement of Samuel Martires.

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The new Ombudsman — who will lead the body in charge of prosecuting and filing cases against erring government officials — will serve until 2032. The Ombudsman has a seven-year fixed term.

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Among the big names left out of the short list is Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg. Former Bureau of Internal Revenue commissioner Kim Henares — whom sources considered to be a strong candidate — was also not part of the list forwarded to Marcos.

Remulla, also among the strongest names in the line-up, was included in the roster despite the hurdles he faced courtesy of the President’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos. She filed criminal and administrative complaints against Remulla, almost blocking the DOJ chief’s Ombudsman bid.

JBC rules state that applicants may be disqualified if they have pending cases. The Ombudsman junked Imee’s complaint, allowing Remulla to submit a clearance with the JBC. – Rappler.com

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