SC, JBC, IBP are just following rules, says spokesperson

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court, Integrated Bar of the Philippines and the Judicial and Bar Council were just following the rules, a spokesperson for the high court said Tuesday, the same day Justice Secretary Leila De Lima accused the three of allegedly conspiring to exclude her from the shortlist of candidates for chief justice.

“All three bodies – the Supreme Court, IBP and the JBC are just following rules. There is no conspiracy,” Gleo Guerra said over the phone.

“Every person is entitled to their own opinion,” she said.

De Lima accused the three of “bonding together” to disqualify her from seeking the chief justice post.

The JBC disqualified De Lima due to pending disbarment cases that have been filed against her.

De Lima said the disbarment cases against her were referred to the IBP by the Supreme Court on July 3 after she accepted her nomination.

De Lima filed a motion for summary dismissal with the IBP but it was dismissed. She also motion for reconsideration but was also dismissed by the IBP.

“The IBP Board only acted based on established rules. We have nothing against the Secretary except we have to abide by the rules,” IBP President Roan Libarios said in a phone interview.

IBP Spokesperson Trixie Angeles said the disbarment case would be resolved within 90 days or by September or October.

“We will resolve the cases referred to us based on the law, rules and existing jurisprudence,” she said told INQUIRER.net.

“We sympathize with her, she lost her father and she probably aspired for this position. We do not want to put too much weight on an emotional statement. The IBP will not bond with any group to destroy anyone’s bid to become CJ. The IBP is never set out to do that,” Angeles added.