Batacan’s Ombudsman bid opposed

The bid of lawyer Edna Herrera-Batacan to succeed Ombudsman Conchito Carpio Morales was strongly opposed yesterday by Atty. Ferdinand Topacio. Morales will retire on July 26.

In his two-page letter, Topacio urged the Judicial and Bar and Council (JBC) to disqualify Batacan for allegedly asking a client P8 million to be used in bribing certain persons in the Office of the Ombudsman.

Topacio said anyone aspiring to become the Ombudsman must possess moral uprightness, honesty and integrity. The Daily Tribune tried to contact Batacan until press time to respond to Topacio’s accusations to no avail.

Aside from allegedly not returning the P8 million, Topacio said Batacan’s client also complained of being charged P1 million as lawyer’s fee.

Aside from Batacan, those being considered for the post to be vacated by Carpio-Morales are Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, SC Associate Justice Samuel Martires, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz, Special Prosecutor Edilberto Sandoval, Davao Judge Carlos Espero II, and lawyers Rey Nathaniel Ifurung, Rainier Madrid, Felito Ramirez and Rex Rico.