Anti-corruption watchdog Democracy Watch has called on the Judicial and Bar Council to ensure a transparent and impartial selection process for the candidates it will recommend for the post of Ombudsman, which will be vacated by Samuel Martires upon his retirement on July 27.
In a statement, the group said the next Ombudsman must demonstrate a proven track record of “independence, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to fighting corruption.”
“The public deserves an Ombudsman who will act without fear or favor, and who will play a key role in restoring trust in our democratic institutions,” said Democracy Watch, whose lead convenor is Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit of the think tank Stratbase Group.
It noted that with a fixed seven-year term, the next Ombudsman will serve well beyond the current administration, “making this a decision with lasting implications for public accountability.”
“The current roster of applicants must undergo the highest level of scrutiny. This process must go beyond technical qualifications. In an era where public institutions are tested by political pressure and growing distrust, the Ombudsman must be a bulwark of integrity, answerable only to the Constitution and the Filipino people,” it said.
The JBC has already received 17 applications from big names in the legal profession, among them justices and former government officials.
The Ombudsman is tasked with investigating and prosecuting government officials accused of crimes, including graft and corruption. Appointed by the President from a shortlist submitted by the JBC, the Ombudsman serves a nonrenewable 7-year term, and can be removed only through impeachment.
The quality and integrity of the ombudsman determines how a country’s fight against graft and corruption fares, not just in the next seven years, but beyond, as momentum is extremely difficult to redirect if the leader points it in the wrong direction. A recent, but perfect example would be the office of the Ombudsman that chooses to restrict access to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth of public officials, when its mandate is to promote transparency and accountability in public service.
Hopefully the JBC selection process will produce a shortlist that can restore the confidence of the Filipino people in the democratic institutions that have been weakened by political appointments that prioritize selfish interests over the public good. We wish the JBC, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whoever the new Ombudsman will be, and our nation, all the best as we attempt to embark on a new era as far as the fight against corruption is concerned.*
