Marcos names new acting Ombudsman

Metro Manila, Philippines - Deputy Ombudsman Dante Vargas has been named acting ombudsman, Malacañang confirmed on Wednesday, Aug. 27, ahead of the screening for the next chief graft buster.

Vargas replaced Mariflor Punzalan-Castillo as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Ombudsman. 

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Castillo on July 28 after the retirement of Ombudsman Samuel Martires on July 27.

Vargas was designated deputy ombudsman for the Visayas by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2022.

The Judicial and Bar Council will hold public interviews of ombudsman hopefuls from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2.

Those vying for the post include Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, Deputy Executive Secretary Anna Liza Logan, former Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares, and Philippine Competition Commission Chairman Michael Aguinaldo.