MANILA, Philippines–Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio on Tuesday said that while there is no compulsory ground for him to recuse from the West Philippine Sea case, he opted to do so “for the peace of mind of the SolGen.”
Solicitor General Jose Calida wants Carpio out of the West Philippine Sea case due to his alleged personal bias and manifest partiality on the issue of West Philippine Sea.
Calida said the New Code of Judicial Conduct, which was promulgated by the Supreme Court, demands the disqualification of a judge who is unable to decide a case impartially or who appears to a reasonable observer that he is unable to decide impartially.
Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio. INQUIRER file photo
READ: SolGen wants Carpio out of West Philippine Sea case
“There is no compulsory ground to inhibit but I voluntarily inhibited for the peace of mind of the SolGen,” Carpio said in a text message.
A source earlier said that the senior SC magistrate informed his colleagues during Tuesday morning’s en banc session that he will recuse himself from the case. His decision was accepted by the en banc. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
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BREAK: Carpio inhibits from West PH Sea case