Senator Franklin Drilon
MANILA, Philippines—Amid controversy about the psychological examination requirement for aspiring chief magistrate of the Supreme Court, Senator Franklin Drilon welcomed it but said that all top government officials be required to undergo the test.
In a media forum, Senator Franklin Drilon said the mandatory exam imposed by the Judicial and Bar Council “is a good requirement.”
“It’s a good requirement but maybe this requirement should apply to everyone in this bureaucracy,” he said.
Drilon said that all senators, congressmen, Cabinet members and even the president and vice president should undergo the psycho test.
“It should be for all,” Drilon said.
Lawyer Romulo Macalintal earlier criticized the JBC’s requirement saying that it was “unconstitutional”.
However, Senator Francis Escudero, ex-officio member to the JBC, said that the requisite is covered by the mandate of the JBC to select the best among the candidates. He said that psychological tests are also a requirement for those aspiring for lower judiciary posts so why would the top post in the high tribunal be exempted from it.
Meanwhile, Drilon said that he is in favor of the decision of the JBC to open for media coverage the interviews of the chief justice candidates.
Nomination for chief justice candidates ends Monday and afterwards the JBC will start interviewing the shortlisted candidates.
Drilon, along with Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, was nominated for the chief justice post. Both declined the nomination.