De Lima’s fate ‘beyond us’ – JBC member

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Manila, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima’s possible disqualification in the race for the next Chief Justice because of a pending disbarment case against her is beyond the control of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), its member said on Sunday.

Interviewed over Radyo Inquirer 990 AM, JBC member Jose Mejia reiterated the JBC’s rule against applicants with pending cases.

“Kapag dumating na ang takdang panahon ng pagboboto, at na lift o na-dismiss ang kanyang kaso, maisasama sya sa botohan. On the contrary, kapag nakatakda ng kami ng botohan at nakabinbin pa rin ang mga kaso at ganun din sa ibang mga kandidado, hindi sila masasama sa botohan,” Mejia said.

“Yun na kasi naging panuntunan ever since at si Secretary de Lima mismo batid nya yun. Kung halimbawa yung na yun ay mananatili, it’s beyond us whether that is perceived to be unfair or not,” he added.

The JBC is scheduled to deliberate and vote on August 2 before they come up with a shortlist of candidates, which will be submitted to President Benigno Aquino III.

The next Chief Justice will be selected by the President from the three names that will be submitted to him by the JBC.

For more reports, listen to Radyo Inquirer 990AM.