JBC interview: Brion seeks Palace, Congress help in busting graft in judiciary

The members of the Judicial and Bar Council.

MANILA, Philippines—Associate Justice Arturo Brion told members of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) Wednesday that the operations of the Supreme Court are continuing even without the Chief Justice.

Brion is the second Associate Justice interviewed by the JBC. He is the fourth most senior Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and is automatically nominated for the Chief Justice post.

Brion explained that the high court is a collegial body that remains strong despite the impeachment trial.

He said once there is already a Chief Justice, the court would get even stronger.

“And only time is needed to further strengthen the judiciary,” Brion said.

While he admitted that graft and corruption also exist in the judiciary, he said it is a societal problem plaguing all the branches of the government.

He said the SC will need the cooperation of the Executive, Legislative in weeding out graft and corruption in the judiciary.