Public interviews on Chief Justice nominees won’t be rescheduled, says Mejia

MANILA, Philippines—Lawyer Jose Mejia, a Judicial and Bar Council member representing academe, said Tuesday the decision of the Supreme Court on the issue of its composition will not cause the rescheduling of the public interview of Chief Justice nominees.
In an interview with anchors Susan K, Den Macaranas and Captain Dylan Halili of “Good Morning Inquirer” on Radio Inquirer 990AM, Mejia said “hindi magkakaron siguro ng epekto ang magiging desisyon ng Supreme Court kung seven or eight,” pertaining to Former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez’s questioning of the eight members of JBC.

Chavez said there should only be seven members.

He said the public interview for Chief Justice candidates will be held from July 24 to 27 with the first three in the morning and another three in the afternoon. Mejia said each nominee is given around one hour and 10 minutes to deliver their pieces, and around 10 to 15 minutes to be asked by the panel if the panel would still have eight members.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima is among the list of candidates to be interviewed on the first day, Mejia said.

He also said JBC has approved of Malacañang’s request to have someone temporarily take the place of de Lima

For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.