SC orders JBC to release Brion’s psychiatric test results

Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brion. Photo taken from sc.judiciary.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court ordered the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to release to Associate Justice Arturo Brion the results of his psychological and psychiatric tests.

In its full court session, the high court told JBC, one of its attached institution that any requesting candidates should be given a copy of their examination result.

Associate Justice Arturo Brion, barely a month ago, requested the JBC to provide him a copy of his psychological report. But the JBC turned down the request, saying the results were confidential and available only to JBC members.

Brion, then raised the issue before the high court who has direct supervision of the JBC.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno wanted to defer the high court’s ruling for a month to give the JBC Executive Committee time to study the rule on the psychological and psychiatric exam.

However, the justices agreed that the candidate examined has the right to know the result of their examination.

The psychological and psychiatric test is a requirement under Resolution 009 Rule 6 of the JBC. UnderRule 6 “good physical health and sound mental/psychological and emotional condition of the applicant play a critical role in his capacity and capability to perform the delicate task of administering justice. The applicant or the recommending party shall submit together with his application or the recommendation a sworn medical certificate or the results of an executive medical examination issued or conducted, as the case may be, within 2 months prior to the filing of the application or recommendation…”