MANILA, Philippines - A lawyer is adding his name to the list of those opposing Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales’ bid for Ombudsman.
In a 3-page letter, lawyer Ferdinand Topacio told the Judical and Bar Council that the justice is very much associated with President Benigno Aquino III and the CVC Law Firm, which is more prominently known as “The Firm”.
He said Carpio Morales is a cousin of Senior Justice Antonio Carpio, who is one of the pioneers of The Firm. He said the law firm has many cases pending before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Topacio also stressed the closeness of Carpio Morales to Aquino.
"Thus, the well-founded possibility that the much publicized wishes and desires of President Aquino in prosecuting government officials of the past administration will readily be granted by Justice Carpio-Morales,” he said.
"Independence of mind and probity, the qualifications of an Ombudsman under the Constitution, will therefore be compromised, and her appointment will be [detrimental] to the spirit and intent of the Constitution in institutionalizing an Office of the Ombudsman,” he added.
Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez were among those who filed their respective oppositions to the nomination of Carpio Morales.
