BIR chief nominated to be the next Chief Justice

Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—A private lawyer has nominated Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares to replace former Chief Justice Renato Corona who has been removed from his position by impeachment.

“I believe in her competence and her integrity is beyond question,” lawyer Elpidio Jamora Jr. told INQUIRER.net over the phone on Friday, quoting from his nomination letter he submitted to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Thursday.

Jamora pointed out that he does not know Henares personally but that based on his belief and observation, Henares is highly qualified for the job.

“She also has managerial skills which I believe would be useful to the judiciary,” he added.

Jamora said he does not agree with some observations made by some senators that Henares should not accept any nomination to the post of Supreme Court Chief Justice out of delicadeza because she testified against Corona.

“But it will all go down to two points: 1) if she will be included in the shortlist, and 2) if the President will choose her,” Jamora said.

Henares is one of the names reportedly being considered by President Aquino to replace Corona.

Henares, on the other hand, said she would not apply but a nomination would be “an opportunity.”

Henares is the fourth nominee to the top judicial position, The others are Atty. Katrina Legarda, Solicitor-General Francis Jardeleza and former Ateneo de Manila College of Law Dean Cesar Villanueva.

Aside from the four, automatically nominated for the position are the five most senior Supreme Court Associate Justices: Antonio Carpio, now serving as the acting Chief Justice, Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion and Diosdado Peralta.

The nomination for the post of Chief Justice is open till June 18. After that, the JBC will screen and narrow down the applicants and the shortlist will be submitted to President Aquino.