JBC: Chief justice post is not yet open for application, nomination

Few visitors walking at the hall housing the golden seal of the Supreme Court. INQUIRER PHOTO / LYN RILLON

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has not yet opened the application and nomination for the chief justice position, one of its members said Friday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said JBC members have decided to wait until the Supreme Court’s decision granting the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno becomes final.

“The JBC will wait until the quo warrato becomes final,” Guevarra said in a text message.

Last May 11, 2018, the high court granted the quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida that declared Sereno as unqualified to sit as chief justice. With the ruling, Sereno becomes the first constitutional officer removed from office without an impeachment trial.

READ: Peers kick Sereno out via Calida’s QW

The JBC members came up with the consensus despite the high court’s instruction to the JBC to start the nomination process for the next chief justice.

The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen applicants to the judiciary and top Ombudsman positions.

JBC  is currently chaired by Senior Associate Justice and now acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio with ex-officio members Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, Senator Richard Gordon, and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali. Its regular members include retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, representing the justices and chairperson of the JBC Executive Committee, Atty. Jose Mejia, representing the Academe, Atty. Milagros Fernan-Cayosa, representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and retired Judge Toribio Ilao, representing the private sector.

Its consultants include retired Chief Justices Hilario Davide Jr., Artemio V. Panganiban and Reynato Puno as well as Deputy Court Administrators Raul Villanueva and Jenny Lind Aldecoa-Delorino. /jpv