Escudero to set up website for transparent JBC proceedings

MANILA, Philippines - Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday vowed to make public the names of all the applicants and nominees in judicial appointments through a website his office will set up to get the public involved in the process. In a press statement, Escudero, newly designated Senate representative to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) said transparency in the conduct of judicial appointment in the country has been long overdue. "Judicial positions are sensitive and significant as they give rhyme and reason to constitutional and executive actions. Thus integrity and accountability should never be compromised on the side of the appointees and the appointing body as well," Escudero said. He said the names of all the applicants and nominees will be posted on the website. The public can then course through their comments and inputs on the names published on the website. He said this will allow his colleagues in the Senate and the public to give an input in the interest of transparency and public accountability. The senator said since this will be the first time that JBC proceedings will be stripped of cloak of secrecy, he hopes to elicit the cooperation of court watch groups to filter the names of the nominees that will be submitted to the President. Escudero is also supporting efforts for the JBC to adopt an open-voting system in all appointments in any judicial position. He expressed hope this would break the long practice and tradition of secrecy in judicial appointments. Last week, the Senate passed a resolution seeking an open voting in the JBC. Escudero said will be bring to the plenary any controversial issues with regard to JBC. "Widest dissemination possible and widest participation possible is what we will pursue if only to prove transparency in appointments to one of the country's most sensitive and vital institution," Escudero said. He said with the impending retirement of seven Supreme Court justices next year, all measures for transparency should already be placed given the revival of Charter change by the President's allies. The senator also appealed for vigilance and active participation from the public to demand accountability from the people who holds and who will hold public offices as their decisions are of public interest. - Amita Legaspi, GMANews.TV