Bello, SC Justice Martires among Ombudsman aspirants

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Samuel Martires are among the aspirants vying to replace Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales when her term ends in July.

Two sources confirmed Wednesday that Bello, Martires, Sandiganbayan Justice Efren dela Cruz and seven others are applying for Ombudsman.

Also included in the list of applicants are Davao regional trial court judge Carlos Espero II, lawyers Edna Herrera-Batacan, Rey Ifurung, Rainier Madrid, Rex Rico, Felito Ramirez, and Special Prosecutor Edilberto Sandoval.

SC Associate Justice Teresita de Castro had declined her nomination to the post. She was nominated by retired SC Justice Arturo Brion.

The applicants will be screened and shortlisted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) for the perusal of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has the power to appoint the next Ombudsman.

The application period set by the JBC for Ombudsman hopefuls ended on Tuesday afternoon.

Martires was a justice of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan before being Duterte's first appointee to the SC. He is set to retire from the high court in January next year.

Dela Cruz chairs the First Division of the Sandiganbayan. —ALG, GMA News