PRC exec’s nomination for deputy ombudsman post bucked

MANILA, Philippines - An architect has opposed the nomination of Commissioner Jennifer Manalili of the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) for the position of deputy ombudsman for the Visayas.

In a five-page opposition, Enrico Melchor Sevilla asked the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to disqualify Manalili due to an alleged graft and corruption case against her.

The oppositor alleged that Manalili is not fit for the post of chief ombudsman for the Visayas because she has pending criminal charges before the same anti-graft office that he filed last year.

Sevilla cited the Internal Rules of the JBC, which disqualifies applicants with pending cases and who must not be considered for nomination.

Manalili is in charge of the PRC’s Board of Real Estate Service.

In September last year, Sevilla filed before the Office of the Ombudsman a verified complaint against Manalili for violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees “for abetting and further aggravating the illegal acts perpetrated thereby causing prejudice to Philres and its members.”

The ombudsman dismissed the complaint last July 2, but Sevilla said he filed a motion for reconsideration.

He stressed that his appeal was not yet resolved, making the complaint still pending.

Manalili is among the nine nominees for the vacancy in the ombudsman upon the retirement of Deputy Ombudsman Pelagio Apostol on Aug. 21.

The other candidates are ombudsman director Carla Juris Narvios-Tanco; former regional trial court Judge Geraldine Faith Econg, who is now the head of the Regional Court Administration Office in Central Visayas; Paul Elmer Clemente; Jose Vicente Opinion; Gilbert Kintanar; Mary Susan Guillermo; Roque Damian Dator and Vicente Gengos Jr.