Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero. EDWARD GANAL / SENATE POOL
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Tuesday defended the Judicial and Bar Council’s decision to open interview process for the selection of the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for media coverage amid concerns of Senator Ralph Recto that it could turn into an “American Idol” popularity contest.
In an interview, Escudero said that opening the interview for media coverage allows the public to be part of the selection process.
“Siguro marapat at dapat lamang na gawin namin yun para mas malawak yung pakikilahok, partisipasyon ng ating mga kababayan sa proseso (I guess it is just proper for us to do that to broaden the participation of our countrymen in the process),” Escudero said.
“Kung mapapanood man nila yan, at least pakiramdam nila ay bahagi sila sa proseso ng pagpili ng susunod na punong mahistrado, hindi naman pwedeng kasama lamang sila sa sakit at hirap nung nagi-impeachment tayo. Syempre dapat kasama rin sila sa ginhawa ng pagpili ng papalit (If they would watch [the interview coverage] at least they will feel that they are part of the process of selecting the next Chief Justice. It is not right that they were only involved in the hardships of the impeachment trial, they should also be involved in the selection for the replacement),” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Recto said that he welcomes the transparency in the selection process of the next Chief Justice. He added that he is amenable with the JBCs decision for opening the interview process for media coverage.
However, Recto said that it should not end up as a popularity contest among the nominees and candidates.
“I am not against that. My only concern is you don’t want it to be Mutya ng Pilipinas (a popular local beauty contest), popularity contest or the next CJ (Chief Justice) Idol. We’re not choosing a Jessica Sanchez here, you should be choosing the best and the brightest to be the chief justice,” Recto said.
Nevertheless, Recto said that he is confident that President Benigno Aquino III will make the right decision in selecting the next Chief Justice.
Meanwhile, Escudero said that the interview for the nominees and candidates for Chief Justice will be conducted by a panel. He added that questions will be civil and limited only to matters related to the position.
“Bawal ang bastusan (No rude remarks),” Escudero said.