De Castro declines Ombudsman nomination

Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro declined nomination to replace Conchita Carpio-Morales as the Ombudsman of the Philippines.

Although moved for being considered for the position, the associate justice said she plans to retire when she reaches the compulsory retirement age of 70, which she will meet on October 8.

“Although I am deeply moved and sincerely moved by, and thankful for, Justice Brion’s kind endorsement. I regret that I must decline the recommendation as I wish to continue serving the Supreme Court until I reach the compulsory retirement age,” she said in a one-page letter addressed to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

Her endorser, Arturo Brion, was a retired Associate Justice.

De Castro added, “It is my most earnest hope that your search for worthy nominees for the next Ombudsman will be successful. I wish you the best in the discharge of your constitutionally ordained duties.”

The other nominees for the Ombudsman post were Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III; Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr.; presiding justice of the Sandiganbayan Edilberto Sandoval; Davao City regional trial court judges Carlos Espero II and Rowen Apao-Adlawan; Duterte’s lawyer, Edna Batacan; and the president’s classmate in San Beda, lawyer Rex Rico.

The nomination and application were closed on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 05/ 16 /18