JBC OKs live coverage of CJ interviews

Manila, Philippines -  The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) yesterday approved live media coverage of oral interviews of candidates for the position of chief justice.

In their regular meeting held at the Supreme Court (SC) building in Manila, members of the eight-member JBC unanimously agreed to delete provisions in Section 5 of its Rule No. 10 that prohibit live TV and radio coverage of the proceedings.

The decision was made upon request of various groups led by former JBC member Sen. Francis Pangilinan and the Transparency and Accountability Network.

Guidelines for the live broadcast – the first in the 25-year history of the constitutional body tasked to vet nominees to judicial posts - will be drafted by JBC members in an executive committee meeting on Thursday.

In a press conference, SC spokesperson lawyer Ma. Victoria Gleoresty Guerra cited “transparency and high importance of the vacancy” as reason of the council in making the decision.

She explained that this new rule allowing cameras and recorders inside the venue of interviews will apply not only to the chief justice post but also other judicial posts covered by the JBC selection process.

Guerra said the council is also set to tackle in succeeding meetings another request for live media coverage of their voting for the shortlist to be submitted to President Aquino.

The JBC has also decided to extend the period for filing of application and nomination for chief justice for another 10 days or until July 2.

Sen. Francis Escudero, ex-officio member of JBC, revealed that the council explained in an ambush interview that their decision would widen the choices.

He also clarified that this move would not delay the process since the JBC would submit its shortlist to the President by July 30 or about a month before the 90-day period prescribed in the Constitution for the appointment would lapse on Aug. 28.

Guerra added that extension of period of filing of application and nomination for judicial posts is commonplace in the JBC.

As of yesterday, the JBC has listed 40 names recommended for the chief justice post.

Topping the list are acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio and the other four most senior justices of the Supreme Court - Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion and Diosdado Peralta - who were automatically nominated under JBC rules.

Four junior justices of the High Court received nominations: Associate Justices Jose Perez, Roberto Abad, and Maria Lourdes Sereno and Estela Perlas-Bernabe, two of President Aquino’s three appointees to the SC so far since taking office in June 2010.

Among the prominent nominees were former Makati City Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr., former San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora and 2010 presidential candidate and Bar topnotcher Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Cabinet officials nominated to the post are Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares, and Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza.

Also nominated are Commission on Elections Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, former solicitor general Francisco Chavez, retired judge Manuel Siayngco Jr., Laguna Assistant State Prosecutor Cesar Sasondoncillo, Integrated Bar of the Philippines president Roan Libarios and lawyers Rodolfo Robles, Pedro Aquino, Hilarion Aquino,

Nepomuceno Aparis, Katrina Legarda, Soledad Cagampang-de Castro, Teresita Herbosa, Jose Renante Jr., Vicente Velasquez, Alexander

Padilla, Antonio Villamor and Rey Oliver Alejandrino.

Members of academe nominated for the top SC post include Ateneo de Manila University College of Law Dean Cesar Villanueva, University of the Philippines College of Law Dean Raul Pangalangan, University of the East College of Law Dean Amado Valdez, law professor Rafael Morales and former UP law dean Marvic Leonen.

A nurse named Jocelyn Esquivel and dismissed judge Florentino Floro were the applicants so far.

Justices Brion and Abad, Dean Pangalangan, Commissioner Sarmiento, lawyers Morales and Legarda have accepted their nomination while lawyers Sasondoncillo and Libarios have declined.