Palace: JBC final guard in choosing Chief Justice

The Judicial and Bar Council will be the ultimate safeguard in making sure the next Chief Justice will be independent-minded, as the president makes appointment from the names on JBC's list, Malacañang said Saturday. Presidential spokesman Ricardo Saludo also pooh-poohed a move to have presidential candidates sign a covenant blocking President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s appointment of a new Chief Justice. “Ito [chief justice] ay pipiliin sa pangalang ibibigay ng JBC, sila ang pipili ... Sisiguraduhin nila na ang pangalang ibibigay sa pangulo ay talagang nagpakita ng independence at paggalang sa batas at sa Saligang Batas (Mrs. Arroyo’s choice will come from the list of the JBC. So it is up to the group to make sure those on its list are independent and respectful of the law and the Constitution)," Saludo said on government-run dzRB radio. He noted the that JBC’s current composition even includes outgoing Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who he described as independent-minded, and Sen. Francis Escudero, who is allied with the opposition. Under the Constitution, the JBC will draw up a list of nominees, with the president selecting from the list in appointing a new Chief Justice. Questions continued to hound the high courts’ decision last Wednesday allowing Mrs. Arroyo to appoint a new Chief Justice amid legal questions. Malacañang’s critics claim President Arroyo will select a Chief Justice who is loyal to her to protect her from lawsuits once she steps down as president and loses immunity from suit. Saludo laughed off the move by Sagip Korte Suprema to have presidential bets sign a covenant blocking Mrs. Arroyo’s so-called midnight appointment of a new Chief Justice. He said the people will not support such a call to defy the high court, and that any government official who refuses to recognize the new Chief Justice may be liable. “Kung sino ang opisyal na di ibig kilalanin sila dapat managot (The official who refuses to recognize the Chief Justice will have to answer to the law)," he said. Palace laughs off claims of revolt Saludo downplayed claims by detained senatorial candidate and former Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim that President Arroyo is inviting a military revolt with her effort to control the high court. [See: Arroyo inviting a new military revolt — detained ex-general] “May ilan diyan kahit noon nagsasadyang lumihis ... di sila sinusuportahan ng taongbayan (There are some people who tried to take power unconstitutionally, they will not have the people’s support)," he said. Saludo also said the Palace expects noise surrounding the appointment of a new Chief Justice to persist until Election Day, saying it is a chance for candidates to grab headlines. — LBG, GMANews.TV