Guevarra: Impeachment case vs justices no effect in chief justice application

MANILA, Philippines — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that the impeachment complaint against four Supreme Court justices may have no bearing on their application for the chief justice post.

In a message to reporters, Guevarra said the impeachment complaint filed by congressmen on Thursday “will not have any effect on the nomination of the four SC justices for the chief justice position.”

He also said that an impeachment complaint “is not the same as a criminal or administrative complaint in the ordinary sense.” The Justice chief stressed that the statement is made in his own view, and does not reflect the view of the Judicial and Bar Council.

Guevarra is one of the ex-officio members of the JBC, by virtue of his position.

Reps. Edcel Lagman (Albay), Teddy Baguilat Jr. (Ifugao), Gary Alejano (Magdalo party-list) and Tomasito Villarin (Akbayan Citizen’s Action party-list) submitted an impeachment complaint against seven justices who granted the quo warranto petition against former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

READ: Lawmakers want justices who voted for Sereno's ouster impeached

Associate Justices Teresita De Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes and Alexander Gesmundo are accused of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

De Castro, Peralta, Bersamin and Reyes are all vying for the chief justice post.

Lagman, in a press conference, said: “An applicant who has a pending administrative case will be disqualified. We are saying that this impeachment case is more serious than an administrative case.”

“The impeachment complaint must bar the said justices from aspiring for the position of chief justice,” he added.

The Judicial and Bar Council is set to vote on the chief justice shortlist on Friday, August 24.