JBC begins Ombudsman applicant interviews

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Thursday opened its public interviews for candidates vying to become the next Ombudsman, tackling issues on graft, lifestyle checks, and reforms in the anti-corruption watchdog.

First to face the JBC was former Commission on Audit chief and current Philippine Competition Commission chairperson Michael Aguinaldo, who vowed to inhibit himself from cases involving any of his 10 relatives in government.

Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Romeo Benitez, another applicant, stressed that lifestyle checks should be more than ceremonial. He said such probes must lead to concrete investigations and should also cover relatives and associates of officials under scrutiny.

Benitez added that while the law allows public access to officials’ Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), it must be “subject to reasonable conditions” and not treated as an “unbridled license.”

Private lawyer Jonie Caroche-Vestido, known for representing controversial figure Francis Leo Marcos, said she would instill a culture of “hiya” or shame to discourage public officials from engaging in corruption. “That is what is lacking right now, a sense of shame,” she said.

Court of Appeals Associate Justice Bautista Corpin and retired CA Justice Stephen Cruz also appeared before the JBC panel.

The interviews are set to continue next week with the remaining nominees for the top anti-graft post.