Bersamin asserts judicial independence during JBC interview

MANILA, Philippines — Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin asserted before the Judicial and Bar Council that he has never felt any pressure from the government when ruling on court cases.

Facing the JBC panel for a public interview, Bersamin said that in his long years of service as a judge and justice, “I must insist that I have never felt pressured by the other branches of government.”

Bersamin is one of the five candidates vying for the chief justice post. As chief justice, one will head the Judiciary which is the third branch of government.

Bersamin acknowledged that the Supreme Court is a “political agency or body” as it insures policy statements that affect many sectors. He, however, asserted that the branches of government “have been respectful to judges and justices.”

“This is demonstrated by how the SC has arrived at each decision, especially at sensitive cases,” added Bersamin.

“We have not hesitated to render our decisions,” he stressed, citing rulings on the Disbursement Acceleration Program and the Priority Development Assistance Fund.

"There will always be pressure in the sense that we may be concerned about how the other branches of government would react to our decisions, but that is personal on the part of justices," he added.

The SC has recently been at the end of criticisms of the public and lawmakers over its ruling on Solicitor General Jose Calida's quo warranto petition against former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Many lamented that it seemed that the SC lost its judicial independence, as President Rodrigo Duterte branded Sereno as his "enemy."

The SC is an independent, collegial body.

READ: Who's who: A look at the candidates for chief justice

Reforms

If appointed as chief justice, Bersamin said he wants to improve the Philippine Judicial Academy, as it trains aspiring judges and justices. “More needs to be done in terms of content and training—more skills-based rather than knowledge-based,” added Bersamin.

Integrated Bar of the Philippines representative Milagros Cayosa, who is a JBC regular member, pointed out that Bersamin has 1,535 cases pending before his office.

Bersamin admitted that it is “physically impossible” to finish all the cases, but he is hopeful that by the time he retires, he will cut the volume of cases docketed before his office by half.

The justice also lamented that the court should adopt a “stricter filter” system on cases being docketed before them.

Statement on Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth

The JBC also asked Bersamin about the “jump”’ in his assets, as reflected on his Statement on Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

Bersamin said that he receives allowance from being a member of the Senate Electoral Tribunal.

He also said that his SALN covers that of his and his wife’s, who is a businesswoman. The justice added that the increase in his assets is due to cash deposits and a purchase of a condominium unit.

Asked if his wife would allow an inquiry into their SALNs, he said: “I think so.”

Two chief justices were removed from their posts due to their wealth declaration documents. The late Chief Justice Renato Corona was impeached due to misdeclaration of his wealth in his SALN, while Maria Lourdes Sereno’s appointment as chief justice was nullified due to missing SALNs.

The public interview is ongoing.