JBC deliberations for Ombudsman, other applications rescheduled —SC

The deliberation of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) for the position of Ombudsman and other vacancies has been rescheduled following the change in the leadership of the Senate, Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting said Thursday.

"JBC has rescheduled its deliberation, originally set for September 19, to a later date. The session will instead be held in the coming weeks," Ting said.

She added the adjustment will give new Senate Committee on Justice chairperson Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan more time to review the application documents.

“This adjustment covers not only the Ombudsman post but also other vacancies currently being processed by the JBC,” she added.

The court official said the deliberation was initially scheduled on September 19.

The JBC interviewed a total of 17 applicants for Ombudsman from August 28, Thursday to September 2, Tuesday.

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the previous chairman of the Senate Justice Committee, represented the Senate in the proceedings.

The JBC is composed of the Chief Justice as ex officio chairman, the Secretary of Justice, a representative of the Congress as ex officio members, a representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired member of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the private sector.

The appointed official will replace former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term expired on July 27. The new Ombudsman will serve a fixed term of seven years without reappointment.

The Office of the Ombudsman handles the complaints filed against high-ranking government officials and those occupying supervisory positions, complaints involving grave offenses, as well as complaints involving large sums of money and/or properties. —LDF, GMA Integrated News