Chiz seeks nominations for CJ post from Visayas
By Office of Senator Chiz
Escudero
June 13, 2012
PASAY CITY – Sen. Chiz Escudero is encouraging the people from the
Visayas to participate in the selection of the next Chief Justice by
nominating candidates from the region they feel fit to occupy the top
post in the Supreme Court.
Escudero, the Senate representative to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC),
said the search for the next chief magistrate is not limited to
applicants and nominees from Luzon and from within the Supreme Court.
“The hunt for the next Chief Justice is an open season and is not
limited to the Supreme Court justices. We need someone who is neutral
and not identified with partisan groups. Applicants and nominees
within and outside the highest court of the land are welcome as long
as he or she is qualified, reputable and has a clean record,” Escudero
said.
Under the existing JBC requirements, all court applicants must be
Filipino citizens; possess proven competence, integrity, probity and
independence and a member of the Philippine bar; at least 40 years
old; and have been in the practice of law in the Philippines for at
least 15 years.
In addition, aspirants for the top magistrate post are now required to
submit a waiver on the confidentiality of bank deposits, income tax
return (ITR) and the opening of the statement of assets, liabilities
and net worth (SALN), as a result of the proposal put forward by
Escudero to the JBC following the conclusion of the impeachment of
former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
“He can apply or be nominated either by a group, by an individual, by
a classmate, by a friend, by a relative. It doesn’t really matter for
as long as after being nominated, he should manifest his intent to
accept and he should manifest before the committee that he is
accepting the nomination. We will be accepting applications and
recommendations until June 18,” Escudero said.
Among the nominees outside the Supreme Court as of June 8 are former
University of the Philippines law dean Raul Pangalangan, Revenue
Commissioner Kim Henares, family law expert Katrina Legarda, Solicitor
General Francis Jardeleza, dean emeritus of the Ateneo Law School
Cesar Villanueva, and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.
Five sitting magistrates of the Supreme Court – Associate Justices
Antonio Carpio, Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-de Castro,
Arturo Brion and Diosdado Peralta – are automatically nominated for
the top post by virtue of seniority.