JBC taps IBP to help screen applicants for judicial posts

Integrated Bar of the Philippines

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has tapped the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to assist them in determining the fitness of those aspiring to be part of the judiciary.

Atty. Maria Milagros N. Fernan-Cayosa, JBC’s regular member representing the IBP, said JBC and IBP have forged a memorandum of agreement for a pillar assessment program.

In 2017 alone, Cayosa said the JBC has processed over 15,000 applications with only 70 personnel to complement it.

Cayosa said with the memorandum of agreement, the IBP will help “determine the fitness of these applying for regular post. The IBP are familiar with the work on judges.”

IBP is the mandatory organization of lawyers with over 55,000 members, while the JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen applicants to enter the judiciary and the top Ombudsman positions. The JBC vet the names, comes up with a shortlist, and submit it to Malacañang for final selection.

Currently, there are over 2,000 positions for judges but only half are filled. There are 837 vacancies and some 200 pending appointment, meaning recommendations are already in Malacañang subject for approval. /jpv