President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has designated Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Dante Vargas as the new acting Ombudsman, Malacañang announced yesterday.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed Vargas’ latest appointment in a text message to Palace reporters.
The appointment was announced just a day before the Judicial and Bar Council’s scheduled screening of candidates for the position of Ombudsman.
Among the 17 applicants are former COA Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo, DILG Usec. Romeo Benitez, Atty. Jonie Caroche, CA Associate Justice Bautista Corpin, retired CA Associate Justice Stephen Cruz, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Econg, CHR Commissioner Beda Epres, Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, former BIR Commissioner Atty. Kim Jacinto-Henares, Office of the President Deputy Executive Secretary Lisa Logan, retired SC Associate Justice Mario Lopez, PDP Laban Secretary General Atty. Melvin Matibag, Sandiganbayan Justice Michael Musngi, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, PCSO Chairperson Felix Reyes, RTC Judge Jayson Rodenas, and retired RTC Judge Benjamin Turgano.
Before Vargas, retired Court of Appeals presiding justice Mariflor Punzalan-Castillo was named acting Ombudsman on July 28, taking over the post vacated by Samuel Martires, who retired on July 27.
As Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas, Vargas supervised fact-finding investigations and case monitoring in the region.
As acting Ombudsman, he will oversee the investigation and prosecution of cases involving public officials and employees, including those related to graft, corruption, and other forms of misconduct in government.
