If debaters from De La Salle University had gotten their way, our next Ombudsman would be elected and not appointed.

Defending the motion that "the Ombudsman shoud be elected, not appointed", De La Salle University knocked out San Beda College in a tight battle to book the first finals spot in Square Off: Frankahan - The Drilon Debates.

DLSU patterned its proposal after the US system of picking District Attornerys - via election every three years. But DLSU put a cap of three on the number of successive terms an Ombudsman could hold office and proposed that voters choose from a shortlist of canidates screened by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

DLSU argued that restoring faith in the Office of the Ombudsman and the justice system are vitally important, especially now with all the controversy surrounding the sitting Ombudsman. DLSU said elections will eliminate doubts cast on presidential appointments because of perceptions that they are beholden to the appointing power.

The all-male team of San Beda, for its part, smartly veered from defending the status quo. They instead introduced a counter-proposal - that Ombudsman appointments be made by the Supreme Court. In their model, SC justices will screen and select qualified individuals using the Ombudsman Act as basis.

San Beda says the country's election system is already flawed. Voters are susceptible to politicization, bribery, popularity contests and the like. Therefore the appointment of the Ombudsman should be left to the High Court, which is well placed to understand the highly technical requirements of the Ombudsman's job.

San Beda argued that elections will just color the Ombudsman's objectivity. They assert that instead of doing his duties, the Ombudsman will only spend his time grandstanding and pursuing cases that will catch the people's attention and earn him a re-election.

However, DLSU countered that the SC cannot appoint the Ombudsman because they must remain impartial as cases from the Ombudsman may eventually reach their office. DLSU argued that allowing the Supreme Court to to perform this function would thwart the system of checks-and balances that is one of the hallmarks of democracy. With elections, they said, the Ombudsman will be directly accountable to the people - which is the only reason he needs to do his job honestly.

This noticeably higher level of debate earned the adjudicators' praise. Sharmila Parmanand lauded DLSU for their clean and solid proposal, while Berna Angangco congratulated San Beda for its clever counter proposal. However, Chief Adjudicator RJ Ledesma said both teams fell a little short on backing up their assertions. Calling it a "marginal win" the judges handed DLSU its ticket to the Finals.

Next Wednesday, dark horse Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology takes on the reigning champs Ateneo de Manila University.

Square Off: Frankahan - The Drilon Debates airs every Wednesdays, 8-9pm, with replays every Thursday 1pm, Saturday 1pm and Sunday 2am.