MANILA, Philippines ? (UPDATE) The Judicial and Bar Council on Monday denied Malacañang's request for the council to expand its list of nominees to the two vacancies in the Supreme Court, Senator Francis Escudero said.

Escudero, who represents the Senate at the JBC in his capacity as chairman of the committee on justice, said the voting to reject the Palace request was unanimous.

"The JBC already did its job. It would set a bad precedent," Escudero said.

In a letter to Malacañang, the JBC said: ?With due respect, the JBC cannot acquiesce to your request to expand the short list of nominees submitted to your office. The decision whether to include three or more than three names in he short list of nominees exclusively belongs to the JBC.?

?It is one of the important innovations in the 1987 Constitution designed to depoliticize appointments in the Judiciary and promote its independence. This discretion given to the JBC is the lynchpin of its autonomy and it cannot be compromised in the tiniest degree without impairing the delicate check and balance in the appointment of members of the Judiciary installed in our Constitution,? the JBC added.

The JBC is the constitutionally mandated body to screen prospective nominees to the high tribunal and to come up with at least three names for every vacancy in the court.

The JBC submits the list to Malacañang. The President then chooses from among the nominees submitted by the JBC.