De Lima, Henares as next Chief Justice up to JBC – Palace aide

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacanang will not in the way of Justice Secretary Leila De Lima and Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares being considered by the Judicial and Bar Council for possible appointment by President Aquino as the next Chief Justice.

Undersecretary Abigail Valte, President Aquino’s deputy spokesperson, said it’s the JBC’s discretion who to include in the list from which President Aquino would choose the next Chief Justice.

Valte was made to react to Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s statement that De Lima and Henares should notbe considered for the vacancy in the Supreme Court because they testified in the impeachment trial of erstwhile Chief Justice Renato Corona.

“We respect the opinion of Senator Santiago,” Valte said in a text message to reporters.

“However, whoever will be placed in the shortlist will be the prerogative of the JBC,” she added.