Palace says no word yet on next Ombudsman

Malacañang on Tuesday said there is no word yet as to who will be the next Ombudsman.

This was according to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro.

''As we speak, wala pa po sa aking napaparating (there is none yet),'' Castro said.

However, she said that the announcement could be earlier than the October 25 deadline to make the appointment.

''Puwedeng mapaaga, puwedeng on the date so abangan na lang po natin,'' she said.

(The announcement could be earlier or on the exact date so let's just wait for it.) 

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

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

• 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

Meanwhile, asked about the claim of Senator Imee Marcos, the President's sister, that Remulla would be installed as the next Ombudsman, Castro said it's better to wait for the Chief Executive's decision on the matter.

''Tingnan po muna natin, huwag po munang pangunahan ang Pangulo. Marami pong pagpipilian, pito po ang nasa shortlist,'' Castro said.

(Let's see, let's not preempt the President. There are seven people on the shortlist.) — RSJ/VBL, GMA Integrated News