Employees want 'energetic' ombudsman

Manila, Philippines - Rank and file employees of the Office of the Ombudsman want the next ombudsman to be “young and energetic,” to keep up with the task of handling numerous graft cases against erring government officials.

Ombudsman Employees Association (OMBEA) president Eric Durano Gutierrez said yesterday they agree with former ombudsman Aniano Desierto’s observations that retiring Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales may be too old for the job.

Speaking in behalf of more than 900 employees of the Office of the Ombudsman, Gutierrez said President Aquino should think twice about rehiring people who are “tired and retired.”

“It goes with the saying that you cannot teach old dogs new tricks,” he told The STAR.

If OMBEA would have its way, Gutierrez said they prefer Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro to be the next ombudsman.

“We agree with him (Desierto) that the next ombudsman must be young-blood. Just like him (Casimiro). He managed to dispose of almost all pending cases from Ombudsman-Luzon, Ombudsman-MOLEO (Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices), OODO (Office of the Overall Deputy Ombudsman) and high profile cases in just a few days,” Gutierrez said.

“The reason is because he is still young and energetic and he daily consults us on how to keep the Office of the Ombudsman working. He is open to new ideas,” he added.

Desierto had expressed reservations over the possibility of Carpio-Morales being named the next ombudsman, saying she might not stand the pressure and rigors of the job that requires a workload “10 times more than that of a Supreme Court (SC) justice.”

He said the President should consider appointing “younger blood” or someone 50 to 60 years old and can still be active and strong.

Malacanang supposedly favors Carpio-Morales as most deserving to replace former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez who resigned from her post earlier this month.