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The Judicial and Lawyers Council (JBC) will meet on Thursday to discuss the Supreme Court (SC) recommendation to relax the rules for presiding superior court betting that are part of the superior court, a member of the body said Tuesday of control.
The Secretary of Justice, Menardo Guevarra, confirmed that the CS urged the JBC to exempt from the mandatory public interview the five highest-ranking CS magistrates who are automatically nominated to replace the outgoing Supreme Court president Diosdado Peralta.
The higher court also asked the JBC not to require magistrates to submit clearances, medical examination results and documentation requirements, except for the letter indicating their intention to compete for the position.
The top five magistrates in terms of appointment are Estela Perlas Bernabe, Marvic Leonen, Alfredo Benjamín Caguioa, Alexander Gesmundo and Ramon Paul Hernando.
“I hope that this matter (SC resolution) will be discussed at the next JBC en banc meeting this Thursday,” said Guevarra.
The CS reportedly lobbied for waivers as the question of whether or not the five magistrates possess the qualifications was already determined when they were nominated and then appointed by the president to the higher court.
On Monday, the JBC extended the filing of applications for president of the tribunal until February 26.
Peralta will leave the judiciary on his 69th birthday on March 27, one year before the mandatory retirement age for judges and magistrates.
Under the 1987 Constitution, the president has 90 days from the vacancy or until June of this year to choose the next president of the Supreme Court from among the applicants examined by the JBC. —KBK, GMA News
