JBC set to screen bets for Visayas deputy ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines - The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is set to screen six aspirants for the position of deputy ombudsman for the Visayas to be vacated by Pelagio Apostol when he retires next month.

The constitutional body tasked to screen applicants for the judiciary and the Office of the Ombudsman set the public interviews for Apostol’s replacement on July 30.

Paul Elmer Clemente, Carla Juris Narvios-Tanco and Jose Vicente Opinion will be interviewed in the morning.

Jennifer Manalili, Gilbert Kintanar and Mary Susan Guillermo will have their turn in answering questions from JBC members in the afternoon.

Three other contenders for the post – Roque Damian Dator, Geraldine Faith Econg and Vicente Gengos Jr. – have been interviewed by the JBC.

Under the law, the President should make the appointment 90 days after Apostol retires on Aug. 21.

He was appointed deputy ombudsman for the Visayas on July 19, 2007.

Apostol hails from Antique and is a Certified Public Accountant.

He is a non-commissioned officer of the Philippine Marines with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Apostol taught law and taxation subjects at the Manila Law College, Philippine Christian University College of Law, Philippine Women’s University and University of Pangasinan.