MANILA, (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III has appointed Melchor Arthur H. Carandang as the new Overall Deputy Ombudsman.
In a one-page transmittal letter of Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. dated Oct. 14, 2013 to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. Aranal Sereno, Carandang was appointed as Overall Deputy Ombudsman replacing Orlando C. Casimiro.
“I am pleased to transmit herewith the appointment letter of Hon. Melchor Arthur H. Carandang, Overall Deputy Ombudsman, Office the Ombudsman, signed by his Excellency, President Benigno Aquino III,” the transmittal letter said.
The letter was received by the Office of the Chief Justice last October 16.
In the appointment papers signed by President Aquino last October 14, it said “pursuant to the provisions of existing laws, you are hereby appointed Overall Deputy Ombudsman, Office of the Ombudsman, vice Orlando C. Casimiro.”
“By virtue hereof, you may qualify and enter upon the performance of the duties of the office, furnishing this Office and the Civil Service Commission with copies of your oath of office,” it added.
Carandang is an ally of the Villaraza Cruz Marcelo law office or popularly known as “The Firm”.
He was appointed Assistant Ombudsman during the tenure of then Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo, founding partner of “The Firm”.
He was re-appointed as Assistant Ombudsman by Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.
Carandang earned five votes from the Judicial and Bar Council and followed by Graft Investigator Roque Dator and Commission on Elections Director Ferdinand Rafanan.