Malacañang search for Corona replacement improper—ex-IBP head

MANILA, Philippines—Malacanang’s move to look for a possible replacement for Chief Justice Renato Corona “is not a sound decision and improper,” a former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said Wednesday.

Jose Aguila Grapilon said Malacanang should not conduct a search for Corona’s replacement because the Chief Justice’s position is not yet vacant.

“Masyado naman yatang preemptive ’yan. I do not think they should be doing that,” Grapilon told reporters.

Grapilon is one of the five former IBP presidents who said that Corona’s impeachment is healthy for democracy.

However, Grapilon said looking for Corona’s replacement when the impeachment trial has not even started is not proper.

“I don’t think it’s proper. It is the JBC (Judicial and Bar Council) who will conduct the interviews and they will do that only when there is a vacancy,” he added.