SC to tackle motions on chief justice issue April 6

The Supreme Court will discuss in Baguio City next month the motions for reconsideration filed in connection with its decision to allow President Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo to appoint the next chief justice despite the ban on so-called midnight appointments. Court spokesman Jose Midas Marquez on Tuesday said that on April 6, the court will either deny with finality the motion for reconsideration on its March 17 ruling, or direct the parties to comment. “The parties in the case have 15 days to submit their motion for reconsideration, which will expire on April 2. The MRs will be included in the Court’s agenda during its en banc session in Baguio City on April 6," he said.

As of Tuesday, only a group of six Nacionalista Party senatorial candidates has filed a motion for reconsideration before the court regarding the issue. Marquez said in case the Court orders the parties to comment, the comments would be included in the SC’s en banc session on April 13, also in Baguio City. The court’s traditional summer session will start on April 5, the same day the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will resume its discussion on the possible nominees for the chief justice post. Malacañang said President Arroyo is just waiting for the shortlist to make the appointment. The JBC is an eight-man body that screens nominees for vacant judicial posts. Chief Justice Reynato Puno will hang his robe on May 17 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70. He is currently on a two-week sabbatical leave. The JBC meeting will take place April 5 and 6 also in Baguio City since Puno, who is its ex-officio chairman, will be there for the SC summer session. Marquez said he expects the magistrates to render a decision before Puno retires. - KBK, GMANews.TV