House issues resolution to assert representation in JBC

Rep. Niel Tupas Jr. Photo by INQUIRER.NET

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed two resolutions insisting that the two chambers of Congress be allowed to have its own representative in the Judicial and Bar Council which is currently selecting the next Chief Justice.

Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas Jr., an ex-officio member of the JBC, said that lawmakers approved two resolutions, similar to the one adopted by the Senate, maintaining that the Congress be allowed have two representatives.

He was referring to the resolution adopted by the Senate Monday, calling on the JBC to postpone drafting its short list of nominees for the position of chief magistrate for submission President Benigno Aquino III while pending the Supreme Court’s resolution on the case of Congress’ representation.

Tupas said that the first resolution approved by the House of Representatives stated that “the Senate and the House should have one representative each to the JBC to reflect the bicameral nature of the legislature with full vote each.”

Meanwhile, the second resolution stated “that the JBC should defer its proceedings on (the) nomination of the new Chief Justice until the issue of Congress representation is finally settled,” he said.

The Supreme Court earlier ruled in favor of former Solicitor General Frank Chavez’s petition which questioned the composition of the JBC. It allowed only one representative from Congress to sit within the council.

This decision was slammed by the two chambers of Congress and prompted its JBC representatives Tupas and Senator Francis Escudero to file a motion for reconsideration with the high tribunal.