Tupas wants to amend JBC rules

Representative Niel Tupas Jr. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Judicial and Bar Council member and Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr. said he will insist on amending rules of the JBC particularly the rule that automatically disqualifies candidates with pending criminal or administrative case.

Tupas said before they discuss the Supreme Court vacancy, they will discuss the possible amendment to the rules.

Tupas is referring to JBC Rules particularly Rule 4 Section 5, which provides that those disqualified from being nominated or appointed to any judicial, Ombudsman or deputy ombudsman position include: 1. those with pending criminal or regular administrative cases; 2. those with pending criminal cases in foreign courts or tribunals; 3, those who have been convicted in any criminal case or in an administrative case where the penalty imposed is at least a fine of more than P10,000 unless he has been grated judicial clemency

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima was disqualified due to the pending disbarment cases filed against her.

“Next meeting, I will raise the issue of the amendments before the process of nomination [for the next Supreme Court Associate Justice],” Tupas told reporters.

On Sept. 5, the JBC will announce through publication the vacancy for Supreme Court Associate Justice.

The position became vacant after Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was appointed Chief Justice.