Monday, November 13, 2006 Nalzaro: A woman for deputy ombudsman? By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
DEPUTY Ombudsman for the Visayas Primo Miro is seriously ill. Many believe that because of his present condition he can no longer finish his term. Miro, then the city prosecutor of Cebu, was appointed to the position during the Estrada administration. His appointment was attributed to his active role in the prosecution of the celebrated rape-slay case of the Chiong sisters. Thelma Chiong, the mother of Jaqueline and Marijoy, was widely believed to have played a major role in his appointment. Thelma’s sister, Cheryl Jimenea, was then the personal secretary of Estrada.
Because of Miro’s serious ailment, there is a squabble for the position. The main contenders are two Cebuano women with unquestioned credibility and integrity, although there are other non-Cebuano applicants. They are director and officer-in-charge Deputy Ombudsman Viriginia Santiago and Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 9 Judge Geraldine Faith Econg. The position of deputy ombudsman has a fixed term of seven years and is equivalent to a Court of Appeals justice.
Director Santiago has been with the anti-graft office for quite sometime and is highly qualified. She applied when the position was vacant following the transfer of then deputy ombudsman Arturo Mojica. But because of her lack of political connections, Miro got the coveted post. Like appointments in the judiciary, the nominees for the ombudsman and its deputies pass through the Judicial and Bar Council.
When she first applied for the position, Director Santiago said she did not approach any politician because she left everything to God. Now, I think she has learned her lesson that in seeking government appointment, politicians are more powerful that God. Informed sources told this columnist that one of the applicants has in fact sought the endorsement of an incumbent influential politician. The applicant, together with an applicant for a RTC judge, went to the house of the politician and asked his endorsement. Right there, the politician called up a Malacañang political affairs official and recommended both persons. Well, it’s no secret that in our political set-up, those who aspire for sensitive and juicy government positions get political backing, considering that the appointing authority, who is the President, is also a politician. And this is political reality.
Ma’am Virgie, take note nga mas gamhanan ang mga politiko kay sa Ginoo. And it’s not what you know but who you know.
