Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales – The next Ombudsman?

In June 19 of the current year, Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales will be leaving her bench as she reached the age of 70. She administered the inaugural oath to President Benigno Aquino Jr. and one of the candidates for the post of Ombudsman following the resignation of Merceditas Gutierrez. She was nominated by the UP Law Alumni Association, the Transparency International Philippines and the Women Lawyers Association of the Philippines Inc. President Aquino himself was said to have handed a note to Carpio-Morales offering her the post during an event they had attended together with retired Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban.
“If Chief Justice Panganiban will endorse me,” was reportedly Carpio-Morales’ reply.
I always remember what my mother tells me whenever someone is angry with me, “Ang punong hitik sa bunga ay laging binabato”. Just like her, with her accomplishments and the fame she is receiving, a lot of detractors are now making noise to stop her from getting the post.

First in line is the former President and now Pampanga congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who burst out her sentiments through her spokesperson, and even sends a letter to Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to make her stand. She takes it too personally where in fact JBC will do the screening of the candidates. Why is she so defensive? Does she know that she is guilty that she is panicking already? Her body language only shows her guilt all the more. Well, maybe I could understand her behavior because Carpio-Morales might have her prosecuted for corruption. What the former President is worrying is that if she will win the said post, she (Carpio-Morales) will not hesitate to act not only on her pending cases but also with the people involved even her family.

Next is Raul Gonzales, former secretary of DOJ who voiced out his unwanted hostility to Carpio-Morales’ ombudsman bid. As we all know, he is part of Arroyo’s administration, one of the prosecutors during Erap’s plunder case and I think the worse secretary ever handled the justice department. The reason why he is crying out loud is to protect him from what might happen if the Arroyo case will push through.

Another personality who wanted to make a scene as well is former Ombudsman Aniano Desierto who publicly opposed the nomination of Carpio-Morales, citing her age. What’s the problem with her age? Is being 70 an obstacle in performing the duties and responsibilities of an ombudsman? Why don’t we take a look on the brighter side of it? With her age, she is the perfect candidate for the position because she possesses not only intelligence and her way of thinking but the most important is the experiences she acquired from the time she started serving our country. And by the way, don’t forget, “Age doesn’t matter,” right?

Like Margie Juico whose being “brutally murdered” by Manoling Morato thru media, Carpio-Morales’ camp remains silent, they declined to comment on the issue.
According to JBC, they would choose and consider someone with “personality, character, integrity and track record of a nominee.” Under the law, it is the nine-member JBC that determines who is fit to become an ombudsman or his or her deputies. The JBC also screens possible appointees to the judiciary. The President makes the final choice.
Let us wait for the President’s proclamation of the next Ombudsman. Let us hope and pray that the nine-member JBC who will determine the next Ombudsman will base their judgment through intelligence but most especially with their heart and soul.