JBC eyes abolition of psycho tests for aspirants to SC, Ombudsman posts

MANILA, Philippines—The Executive Committee of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will meet to discuss, among others, the possibility of abolishing the psychology and psychiatric examination as part of the requirements for aspirants to the judiciary and the Office of the Ombudsman.

“The JBC Executive Committee will go on a sort of a seminar para pag-usapan ang lahat ng ito (to discuss all these),” JBC ex officio member Sen. Francis Escudero told reporters Monday.

He said the possibility of doing away with the psychological and psychiatric examination is only among the issues that will be discussed. Other issues to be discussed, he said include the JBC budget and staffing.

“All policies and procedures dapat tingnan ang efficacy and effectiveness. I think that is the inventory that the Chief Justice [Maria Lourdes Sereno] is doing…Isa lang naman yun [psychological and psychiatric exam] pati budget and staffing pag-uusapan din,” Escudero said.

The psychological and psychiatric test became a controversy after a report showed that Sereno scored 4 out of 5, with five being the lowest score. The same report stated that Sereno is dramatic and emotional and tends to make decisions based on current mood.

The psychological and psychiatric test is a requirement under Resolution 009 Rule 6 of the JBC. Under Rule 6 “good physical health and sound mental/psychological and emotional condition of the applicant play a critical role in his capacity and capability to perform the delicate task of administering justice. The applicant or the recommending party shall submit together with his application or the recommendation a sworn medical certificate or the results of an executive medical examination issued or conducted, as the case may be, within 2 months prior to the filing of the application or recommendation…”

But Escudero believed that the leaked psychological and psychiatric report is no longer relevant.

“Ang sa amin, may na-appoint na at may naitalaga ng Chief Justice. At isang bagay ito na dapat malampasan natin. Hindi ito masyadong mahalaga para sa atin. Issue na lamang ito ng ika nga dahil sa pagkaka appoint at di pagkaka-appoint ng ilang tao (As far as we’re concerned, a new Chief Justice has already appointed and sworn into office. We should be able to move on now. The matter is only an issue raised by those who were not selected),” Escudero told reporters.