Vargas appointed acting ombudsman

President Marcos has appointed Deputy Ombudsman for Visayas Dante Vargas as the acting ombudsman amid the ongoing selection process for the replacement of Samuel Martires, who ended his seven-year term on July 27.

- By ELIZABETH MARCELO

The ombudsman's Public Information and Media Relations Bureau confirmed Vargas' appointment, effective immediately.

Vargas replaced special prosecutor Mariflor Punzalan-Castillo, appointed by Marcos as acting ombudsman on July 28.

Detained former president Rodrigo Duterte appointed Vargas as deputy ombudsman for the Visayas in March 2022.

Vargas had held the position of graft investigation officer II at the Office of the Ombudsman from 1988 to 1993.

Vargas had also served as a legal officer at the Department of Labor and Employment.

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is in the process of screening 17 applicants for the ombudsman post.

The 17 applicants will undergo panel interviews on Aug. 28, 29, Sept. 1 and 2.