Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Justice Mariflor Punzalan-Castillo as acting Ombudsman, Malaca±ang announced on Monday. Castillo steps into the role temporarily following the retirement of Samuel Martires, who vacated the position on July 27. The confirmation of Castillo's new designation was made by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin via a text message.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Judicial and Bar Council is set to begin interviewing candidates for the Ombudsman post after President Marcos delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address on Monday afternoon. Castillo, prior to her appointment as officer-in-charge of the Office of the Ombudsman, served as the anti-graft body's eighth special prosecutor, a role she was expected to hold until 2031.

Castillo's legal career began in 1979 as an investigator at the Office of the Tanodbayan, a position she held until 1985. She was then appointed as a prosecutor within the same office, which was the precursor to the current Ombudsman. In 1989, Castillo was promoted to Special Prosecution Officer III at the Office of the Special Prosecutor, where she served for four years.

Her career in the judiciary includes serving as the presiding judge of the Metropolitan Trial Court of Quezon City from 1993 to 1999, followed by her role as presiding judge of the city's Regional Trial Court from 1999 to 2004. In 2004, Castillo was appointed as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals, eventually retiring as presiding justice before her appointment as special prosecutor.