Politicians shouldn’t interfere in judiciary, says solon

MANILA, Philippines –The next chief justice should not be a politician nor should a politician be involved in the process of choosing a replacement for Chief Justice Renato Corona, a member of the prosecution from the House of Representatives said Friday.

Corona was removed from office after the Senate impeachment court found him guilty of culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

“Tingin ko po, dapat hindi politician ang ilagay dyan [and] I don’t think a politician should also be involved in the nomination process,” Marikina Representative Miro Quimbo told Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

He said the process of selecting possible replacement to Corona should be left to the discretion of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

The JBC is the constitutionally mandated body to screen and recommend to the President aspirants to the Judiciary post and the Office of the Ombudsman.

After the JBC submits a shortlist of candidate to the President, the President has 90 days to choose from the list.