BIR chief, former UP law dean nominated for SC top post

Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares and former University of the Philippines-College of Law dean Raul Pangalangan were formally nominated Friday for the position of Chief Justice at the Judicial and Bar Council.

In a text message to reporters Friday, lawyer Jose Mejia, JBC member representing the academe, said Henares was nominated by another lawyer, Elpidio Jamora.

Pangalangan, a columnist of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, was nominated by the current UP law dean, lawyer Danilo Concepcion, who had also nominated Solicitor General Jardeleza to the same post.

Mejia said a third candidate, former Laguna assistant provincial prosecutor Marianito Sasondocillo, was nominated by his own son, lawyer Mark Sasondocillo.

Others earlier nominated were acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, and four other senior magistrates – Justices Presibitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Arturo Brion and Diosdado Peralta.

Also nominated were women’s rights lawyer Katrina Legarda and former Ateneo Law School dean Cesar Villanueva.

In an interview with INQUIRER.net earlier on Friday, Jamora said he believed in Henares’ “competence and integrity” that were “beyond question”.

Jamora said that he did not know Henares personally but that based on his belief and observation, Henares was highly qualified for the job.

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

Jamora said while he did not agree with some senators’ observations that Henares should accept the nomination, her assumption of the Supreme Court top post would be based on her inclusion in the shortlist and if President Benigno Aquino III would choose her.

Henares said that she would not apply but a nomination would be “an opportunity.”