Mindanao has new deputy ombudsman

MANILA, Philippines - Believing in the popular Spiderman movie phrase that “with great power comes great responsibility,” newly appointed Deputy Ombudsman for Mindanao Rodolfo Elman took his oath before Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales yesterday, fully aware of the bigger battles he is about engage in.

Seeing himself and all other officials and employees of the anti-graft agency as “superheroes” of the Filipino people in the fight against graft and corruption in government, the 56-year-old Elman said he is more than willing and ready to rise up to the challenge.

“You can do so many things and I think that with the mandate as protector of the people, para bang kung may concept na superhero sa government service, ito yun (it appears that it there’s a concept of superhero in government service, this is it),” Elman told The STAR. 

“You can do so many things for the people. It’s only right and proper that the people get the kind of service they should from the government,” he added.

As someone who joined the Office of the Ombudsman when it was created in 1989, Elman said he has been enjoying his job of protecting the people for 25 years now.

Elman rose from the ranks – from investigator to graft investigation and prosecution officer, director, and assistant ombudsman in 2007.

Elman said he decided to work in the Office of the Ombudsman just five years after passing the Bar in 1984 because he loved the job.

President Aquino appointed Elman as deputy ombudsman for Mindanao, replacing Humphrey Monteroso who retired last December.

Elman said he was informed of his appointment on Tuesday and was advised to take his oath so he could immediately assume the post.

That same afternoon, he took his oath in Davao where he will hold office. A judge who was his former student at the Ateneo de Davao Law School where he teaches swore him in.

Doubling his joy, the day he was informed of his appointment was also the day that his only daughter Jenica passed the Bar exam.