Desierto gets more support

The clamor for the appointment of Ombudsman Aniano Desierto, who retires in August, as associate justice of the Supreme Court has gained adherents from both the public and private sectors.

Two woman Cabinet secretaries and a top business leader have joined the bandwagon for Desierto’s elevation to the High Court.

Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin and Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas as well as former Makati Business Club president Ricardo Romulo have separately expressed their support for and endorsement of Desierto for a seat in the High Court to replace retired Associate Justice Jose A. R. Melo.

In a letter to Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., Boncodin said, "I write to include my voice among those supporting such (a) nomination."

"I know Ombudsman Desierto in an official capacity in the course of his being Ombudsman. As such, I have seen him work and am convinced that he is a man of hard work, courage and deep sense of justice," she said.

For her part, Sto. Tomas, also in a letter to Davide, nominated Desierto as associate justice "based on my personal knowledge of the unblemished character and sterling performance" of the Ombudsman.

"As former chairman of the Civil Service Commission, I can attest to his high sense of professionalism, unassailable integrity and knack for excellence," she said.

The business community has also joined the chorus of support for the feisty Ombudsman.

MBC’s Romulo, in a letter to Davide and members of the Judicial and Bar Council, said Desierto "has a distinction of having served as government prosecutor under five administrations: against members of the New People’s Army during the time of Ferdinand Marcos, military rebels who participated in the attempted coups that disrupted the stability of the administration of Corazon Aquino, and, more recently, grafters during the Aquino, Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo (administrations)."