COA chief touts anti-graft advocacy before JBC

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Audit Chairman Grace Pulido-Tan touted yesterday her anti-corruption advocacy before the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) in her quest for a seat in the Supreme Court (SC).

The 58-year-old Tan would have over 11 years in the SC if she is appointed.

In a public interview, Tan told JBC members she would continue her battle against graft if named to replace Associate Justice Roberto Abad, who retired last May 22.

“The biggest factor would be the conduct of the magistrates themselves,” she said. “The tone is always set at the top.”

Tan said she is ready to leave her post in February next year, but hopes that she would be able to pursue her pro-poor causes in the SC.

“I have always loved the law,” she said. “It is something I know I can do. Also, I have seen, there are big things we can do for the underprivileged.”

Tan vowed to be independent from the appointing power if chosen associate justice of the SC.

“Let me say I am not personally close to the President,” she said.

“When I was appointed, I did not know him personally. We met only after he appointed me. Everyday, I have to stand my ground... I will decide on any given case based on the merits alone.” 

She would follow the rules on inhibition of justices once confronted by cases related to the pork barrel scam, Tan said.

She is the only judiciary outsider who faced the JBC on the second day of public interviews yesterday.

All the six others are insiders: CA presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr. and Associate Justices Apolinario Bruselas Jr., Ramon Paul Hernando, Stephen Cruz, Noel Tijam and Quezon City regional trial court Judge Reynaldo Daway.

Most of them vowed to push for reforms in the judiciary.

Justice Hernando – the youngest bet at 47 years old – proposed automation in the CA, particularly the electronic or e-raffling system.

Last Thursday, six other nominees faced the JBC: Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, CA Associate Justices Nina Antonio-Valenzuela, Rosmari Carandang and Jose Reyes Jr.; former audit commissioner Ma. Rowena Guanzon and Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Ma. Cristina Cornejo.

It is the third time that Jardeleza has applied for a seat in the SC.

The Constitution requires candidates for the position of SC associate justice to be a natural-born citizen, at least 40 years of age; and with 15 years or more of experience as a judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the country.

He or she must also be “a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.”

The new justice will be President Aquino’s fifth appointment to the 15-member SC, after Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno and Associate Justices Bienvenido Reyes, Estela Perlas  Bernabe, and Marvic Leonen. – Edu Punay