JBC announces start of search for CJ

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has announced the start of its search for the successor of Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was booted out as Chief Justice by her Supreme Court colleagues.

In a newspaper advertisement on Saturday, the JBC reminded those interested in applying for the country’s highest judicial office to comply with the requirements of the seven-member body tasked by the 1987 Constitution with screening applicants to judicial posts.

The council reminded applicants from the private sector, who had served in the government in the past 10 years, to submit all statements of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALNs) for 10 years.

Basis for ouster

The SALN requirement was the basis of Sereno’s ouster with the high tribunal ruling on May 11 that her failure to submit all her SALNs as a law professor at the University of the Philippines showed her lack of probity as a jurist and made her appointment in 2012 void from the start.

Solicitor General Jose Calida sought her ouster via a controversial quo warranto petition that was filed after President Duterte slammed Sereno for insisting that only the Supreme Court can discipline the so called “narco-judges” he had named publicly.

The issue over her incomplete SALN submission was the same cause lawyer Lorenzo Gadon cited in the impeachment complaint he filed against Sereno in the House of Representatives.

In its notice, the JBC set the deadline for submission of all the needed documentary requirements at 4:30 p.m. of Aug. 22.

Deadline

“The date of actual receipt by the JBC of the applications and complete documentary requirements shall be deemed as the date of filing. The qualifications of applicants shall be reckoned from the said deadline,” it said.

The JBC said those who want to block the designation of any applicant may submit formal opposition letter to the body’s office.

Sources at the high court said Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Lucas Bersamin and Diosdado Peralta have agreed to accept nominations to succeed Sereno.

The three, along with Associate Justices Noel Tijam and Francis Jardeleza, testified against Sereno in the House impeachment proceedings.