Manila: The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is adjusting its deliberation schedule, the Supreme Court said Thursday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the schedule of the JBC deliberations is being adjusted to allow more time for the new Senate Committee on Justice Chairperson, Senator Francis Pangilinan, to review the application documents, as stated by Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Ting. This adjustment not only affects the Ombudsman post but also other vacancies currently being processed by the JBC.

The JBC deliberation was initially set for September 19 but has been postponed to a later date. Ting mentioned that the session will instead be held in the coming weeks.

The JBC, a constitutional body, is responsible for screening applicants to the judiciary and to entities like the Office of the Ombudsman. Recently, it concluded public interviews of candidates vying for the position of Ombudsman, which became vacant after former Ombudsman Samuel Martires' seven-year term concluded on July 27.