The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has been asked by retired and incumbent judges to dismiss the administrative complaint filed by the Camarines Sur provincial council against Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairman Felix P. Reyes.

“PCSO Chair and retired RTC (Regional Trial Court) Judge Felix P. Reyes is cited in the complaint, however, there is no single act imputed by the complainants to Judge Reyes whence criminal or administrative infraction may arise,” reads the statement issued by some members of the Association of Retired RTC Judges of the Philippines Inc. (ARRJOP).

The two groups aired the call as the OMB has yet to act on the Aug. 4 motion of Reyes who sought to be dropped as respondent and the early resolution of the complaint.

“As director/chairman of the board, Judge Reyes has no involvement in the day-to-day operations of the PCSO,” explained the ARRJOP.

“His role is merely on the policy level - presiding over meetings on matters being deliberated upon by the board,” they said.

Under the complaint, Reyes and his co-respondents were accused of failure to act on the violations of a small-town lottery (STL) operator in Camarines Sur and non-remittance of the share to the local government.

Reyes is currently applying for the position of Ombudsman.

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has required applicants to submit OMB clearances which will show that they don’t have pending cases before the OMB before they are considered in the shortlist of candidates.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has also applied for the position of Ombudsman but is facing a complaint before the OMB in connection with the arrest of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte.

“The public deserves dated decisions on matters that touch any applicant -- before deliberations, not after,” the ARRJOP stated.

“This is not about favoring Reyes or handicapping Remulla; it is about making a decision visible so the shortlist reflects merit, not drift, nor the absence of a page,” they added.