Binay leaves CJ selection to Aquino

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda. INQUIRER file photo

ILOILO CITY, Philippines—Vice President Jejomar Binay is leaving the selection of the next Chief Justice to President Benigno Aquino.

“Let’s wait who the President chooses. Under the law, it’s the President who will select,” Binay told reporters here Wednesday when asked to comment on a Malacañang statement of Secretary Edwin Lacierda, Aquino’s spokesperson, that the President has expressed preference for the nomination of Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Henares to head the Supreme Court.

Lacierda later withdrew his statement, saying the President has not made a decision on whether he wanted Henares or Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to replace ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Binay said he would wait for the nomination process being undertaken by the Judicial and Bar Council.

“Hopefully, the one who will be appointed has judicial maturity and administrative experience because a Chief Justice is like a secretary of a department in charge of all judges, sheriffs,” Binay said.