Ombudsman hiring over 100 lawyers

MANILA, Philippines - Former Supreme Court justice Conchita Carpio-Morales has ordered the hiring of more than a hundred lawyers to ensure the speedy disposition of cases pending before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Morales said the Office of the Ombudsman intends to hire more lawyers as graft investigation and prosecution officers and assistant special prosecutors.

Morales said over the weekend that the Office of the Ombudsman is looking for competent lawyers with unquestionable integrity, with at least three years of experience in the practice of law.

Interested parties are advised to await the vacancy announcement and bulletin updates to be published on their website www.ombudsman.gov.ph for other qualification standards and further details.

Morales said she is currently conducting and overseeing an intensive assessment and review of the existing systems and programs of the office through a series of consultations and strategic planning.

This is the reason why she has not granted interviews with the media, she said.

Morales though gave assurance that the ombudsman is committed to transparency in informing the public of its immediate program of action and concrete plans.

The retired SC magistrate reportedly met her predecessor Merceditas Gutierrez last Tuesday but it was not revealed what transpired during their meeting.

Gutierrez resigned last May 6 while about to face an impeachment trial before the Senate on accusations of betraying public trust.

She was accused of sitting on high-profile graft cases, particularly those involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and allies of the previous administration.

Arroyo appointed Gutierrez to the Office of the Ombudsman with a term that should have expired in December 2012.

Gutierrez cut short her term even as Congress was preparing for her impeachment trial.

Gutierrez denied the charges when she resigned, regretting she had to go in order to put the nation and her family’s interest above her own personal vindication.

Arroyo, on the other hand, tried to block the nomination of Morales as ombudsman.

Arroyo, now representing the second congressional district of Pampanga, opposed the inclusion of Morales as candidate, saying the retired magistrate would not be independent enough to handle possible corruption cases against her, her family and former officials considering her consistent stand against her administration.

President Aquino announced Morales as the next ombudsman during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 25.

Aquino said he is expecting Morales to push the administration’s resolve in prosecuting major corruption cases against the players of the previous administration.

On her first day in office, Morales vowed to prioritize high-profile cases and implement reforms in the Office of the Ombudsman to win back the public’s trust and confidence in the anti-graft agency.