Quezon City Rep. Nanette Castelo Daza Tuesday urged President Arroyo to reject recommendations of politicians in filling up the vacancy for QC’s chief prosecutor.

Daza’s appeal was backed by Councilors Ariel Inton and Jorge “Bolet” Banal who are pushing for the promotion of anyone among the senior members of the QC prosecution office.

The three QC leaders assured Arroyo that there are enough “talents” capable of running the local prosecution service “with utmost fairness and efficiency.”

They stressed that there are senior QC prosecutors equally qualified to replace former Chief Prosecutor Claro Arellano who has been promoted as chief state prosecutor.

Among those reportedly eyeing the position are First Assistant Prosecutor Meynardo Bautista and Second Assistant Prosecutors Dindo Venturanza and Victoria Villamor.

Bautista, who rose from the ranks, enjoys the support of majority of fiscals who see him as an “excellent administrator and hardworking deputy” to Arellano. He is most senior among the candidates.

Venturanza, a graduate of Ateneo de Manila Law School, has impressed colleagues for his brilliance and exceptional understanding of criminal law. He was reportedly endorsed by Arellano as a good replacement for him.

On the other hand, Villamor has also proven “super legal intellect” as a division chief. A graduate of San Beda College, Villarmor is married to private practitioner Alfredo Villamor.

“The vacant post of city prosecutor should be given to an assistant city prosecutor, someone from within, who is more knowledgeable in addressing the pressing needs and immediate concerns of the office. One who is familiar with the procedure and flows of the justice system,” she said.

She added: “Acceptance from his colleagues counts.”

Himself a lawyer, Inton said politics should be rejected in choosing the next QC prosecutor.

Inton, a candidate for mayor, stressed that local prosecutors who rose from the ranks are expected to posses the “legal competence and know-how” required of a chief city prosecutor.

“Those who started from the bottom were able to work their way to the top through meritorious promotion. That means they are competent and hardworking, therefore, they deserve the much-needed break to get to the top,” said Inton, a candidate for mayor.

The veteran city councilor explained that appointing an insider will give members of the QC prosecutors office the much-needed inspiration to further hone their legal skills and work harder to reach the top echelon of their office.

Banal, a congressional candidate in QC’s third district, explained that while there is no prohibition against outsiders, the better choice should be somebody who from the organization.

“I think it will be good for the morale of our public attorneys if the chief prosecutor came from their ranks,” the councillor said.