7 included in shortlist for Ombudsman applicants submitted to Marcos

Seven applicants for the position of Ombudsman are included in the shortlist that was submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday, Supreme Court spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting said.

Out of the 17 individuals who applied, those who made it to the shortlist are the following, the JBC said.

• Philippine Competition Commission chairperson Michael Aguinaldo
• Former Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Stephen Cruz
• SC Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan
• Office of the President Deputy Executive Sec. for Legal Affairs Anna Logan
• Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla
• Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Lopez
• Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Michael Frederick Musngi 

Earlier, GMA Integrated News reporter Joseph Morong reported the same on X and Super Radyo dzBB based on his sources.

BREAKING: Justice Sec. Jesus Crispin Remulla, Deputy Exec. Sec. Ana Liza Logan, CA justices make JBC shortlist for Ombudsman@gmanews@24orasgma pic.twitter.com/ubsDhg8ZBd

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) October 6, 2025

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.

Ting previously said that Marcos will pick the next Ombudsman from the list.

He or she will replace former Ombudsman Samuel Martires, whose term expired on July 27. The Ombudsman will serve a fixed term of seven years without reappointment.

The interviews were held from August 28, Thursday to September 2, Tuesday.

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. —KG/AOL, GMA Integrated News