THE search for the country’s next chief justice is on.
Some Cebu judges and lawyers said they hope the one appointed by President Aquino has “competence, integrity, probity, and independence” to lead the judiciary following the scandalous exit of Renato Corona.
Regional Trial Court Judge Simeon Dumdum of Branch 7 said a chief justice should go beyond the letter of the law and possess a “sense of servanthood.”
“The chief justice should not feel privileged but be a servant of the people,” he said.
The Judicial and Bar Council is mandated to screen qualified candidates to be considered by the President.
Cebu already produced a Chief Justice in Hilario Davide Jr., who served as the highest magistrate from 1998 until December 2005, when he retired.
The name of Associate Justice Gabriel Ingles of the Court of Appeals in Cebu City was floated yesterday as one prospect.
“Ingles is qualified,” said Dumdum.
Veteran lawyer Democrito Barcenas agreed.
“Justice Ingles is intelligent but his number one qualificaton is his integrity and character,” Barcenas told reporters.
In a separate interview, Ingles said he wasn’t amenable to the suggestion.
“Although I’m flattered, I will not apply for the post in order not to jeopardize the image of the Supreme Court ,” he said.
“I would not be credible. I was vocal about removing Corona from office. People may think I did so because of an ambition to replace him. I’m not qualified at this time,” he added./Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol