(File photo) Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Another woman succeeding Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales who is retiring next month is a strong possibility, contrary to the earlier pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that the next Ombudsman should not be a woman, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Roque hinted that Duterte’s former lawyer, and the only woman in the Ombudsman shortlist, could be the frontrunner among the candidates.

The Presidential spokesperson was referring to Atty. Edna Batacan, who represented Duterte before the Sandiganbayan when he was mayor of Davao City.

Roque said although he has not spoken to Duterte about it, he believes Batacan is “definitely in the shortlist,” although the spokesperson is having a hard time saying Batacan’s name during his television interview.

“In my mind she would be the frontrunner because who will you trust to implement the laws against public officials? Atty. Batacan was his former lawyer many times in Davao, so there’s definitely trust and confidence in Atty. Batacan,” he said.

He added that Batacan’s experience as a litigator would be an advantage should she get the post.

“It’s important for the next Ombudsman to know how a prosecuting arm of government operates because that’s the core job of an ombudsman—you don’t really decide as Ombudsman, so you don’t need judicial experience; you need experience in trial courts and the prosecutor’s office,” he said.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello could also qualify in the shortlist but according to Roque the officials he named was based only on his opinion and not necessarily Mr. Duterte picks.

Roque was also surprised that Solicitor General Jose Calida did not seek the Ombudsman post.

“Had I known SolGen Calida would not apply, I would have applied for Ombudsman… I would have loved that post,” he said.

Apart from Duterte, Batacan also served as legal counsel to former First Gentleman Mike Arroyo on the graft charges filed against him in connection with the botched ZTE national broadband network deal.

Facing the Judicial and Bar Council on Wednesday, Batacan said she left the Office of the Ombudsman in 1992 to attend to her son who was “sickly.”