The Search for Ombudsman

In as much as the Black & White Movement is about good governance, we are publishing a letter sent by Vincent Lazatin, Chairman of the Transparency and Accountability Network regarding the current search for a new Ombudsman. As you know, Atty. Simeon Marcelo has resigned his post, and will ultimately leave the Office of the Ombudsman on 30 November. Please take the time to read the following and get involved.

Select Your Ombudsman

The Ombudsman selection process is happening at an alarmingly fast pace. Ostensibly, the selection process attempts to involve the public by accepting nominations to the position from the public and accepting comments on the nominees. However, unless the public has time to respond to these calls for nominations and comments, public participation is very limited and non-inclusive.

The Transparency and Accountability Network has written the Judicial and Bar Council to take its time in going through the process since nothing will be gained by having a speedy one. On the other hand, there is much to gain by having a more inclusive process.

Again, I appeal to the media, and Filipinos in general, to help us shine light on this process by writing about it, talking about it, and making it an issue of public concern. If we don't get involved, we will wake up one morning and find out a new Ombudsman has been named. By then it will be too late and we have no one to blame but ourselves.

If you need more information, you can contact me directly (vtlazatin@yahoo.com), or you can log onto the TAN website (www.tan.org.ph).

Thank you in advance for all your help.

Vincent Lazatin

pagbabago@pilipinas, Trustee

Transparency and Accountability Network, Chairman

INFORMATION ON THE OMBUDSMAN SELECTION PROCESS:

As of Oct 17, the following comprised the list of applicants for the Ombudsman post:

• Gualberto dela Llana
• Victor Fernandez
• Remedios Fernando
• Nicodemus Ferrer
• Margarito Gervacio Jr.
• Merceditas Gutierrez
• Christopher Lock
• Diosdado Peralta
• Dennis Villa-Ignacio
• Florencio Villarin
• Douglas Cagas

Today, the JBC Secretariat announced new applicants:

• Crispin B. Bravo
• Orlando C. Casimiro
• Arturo M. de Castro
• Arno V. Sanidad

The JBC Secretariat likewise announced a deadline for submission of any sworn complaint, written report, or opposition against the candidates no later than 5pm, November 14, 2005. Note that this deadline is only applicable for reports submitted on the newly-announced applicants.

TAN would appreciate any information you may have on any of these candidates. Please submit to us reports or comments on the applicants anytime this week [November 8-12], and we will gladly facilitate routing of such reports to the JBC.

Public interviews are scheduled as follows: [venue is at the Justice’s Lounge, 7/F New Supreme Court Building, Padre Faura St., Manila]

November 16, 9:00am

• Crispin Bravo
• Douglas Cagas
• Orlando Casimiro

November 16, 2:00pm

• Arturo de Castro
• Gualberto dela Llana

November 17, 9:00am

• Victor Fernandez
• Remedios Fernandez
• Nicodemus Ferrer

November 17, 2:00pm

• Margarito Gervacio Jr.
• Merceditas Gutierrez

November 18, 9:00am

• Christopher Lock
• Diosdado Peralta
• Arno Sanidad

November 18, 2:00pm

• Dennis Villa-Ignacio
• Florencio Villarin