Politicians, lawmakers told to keep hands off JBC

QUIMBO: Let the process take its course. Photo by Karen Boncocan/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Marikina City Representative Miro Quimbo on Tuesday appealed to his colleagues to keep their hands off the Judicial and Bar Council that is now screening the confirmed nominees for the Chief Justice post.

“Politicians, senators and congressmen should now refrain from interfering with the JBC’s work [and] let the President make the decision,” Quimbo said in a press conference.

“Let the process take its course,” he said.

Quimbo, who was one of the House prosecution panel’s spokesmen during the impeachment trial of ousted chief justice Renato Corona, was responding to questions on whether it was appropriate for Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio to accept their nominations for the much-coveted post.

Their acceptance has attracted mixed opinion with some saying that they should bow out of the chief justice race because of their links to the impeachment of then chief justice Renato Corona.

“In the end it is the call of the President. He knows that the impeachment process has been an unpleasant experience and the people are crying for a new Chief Justice who will restore the integrity of the Supreme Court and unify the judiciary,” said Quimbo.

He said that President Benigno Aquino III will “either collect praises or criticism for his choice but he is not afraid of making strong decisions.”

Quimbo said that he is confident that Aquino would pick a new chief justice who truly deserves the position.

He said that he hoped the next chief magistrate will have the qualities the people expect: competence, integrity, probity and independence. Karen Boncocan