JBC accepting nominations for SC, Sandigan until July 5

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will accept nominees for vacancies in the Supreme Court and Sandiganbayan until July 5. Afterward, the eight-man panel constitutionally mandated to screen nominees for vacant judicial posts will start its public interview of nominees. The vacancy in the SC was a result of the designation of Corona as chief justice. He replaced Reynato Puno who retired last May 17. Corona is the concurrent chairman of the JBC. For the Sandiganbayan vacancy, the slot was due to the death of Presiding Justice Norberto Y. Geraldez last April 4 due to pancreatic cancer. The decision to open the nomination for the 15th slot at the SC and at the Sandiganbayan was reached following its first regular meeting last week presided by Corona. Applicants or those recommending nominees are required to submit six copies each of their application or recommendation letter, notarized personal data sheet with recent ID picture, transcript of school records and Certificate of Admission to the Bar (with Bar rating), according to JBC secretariat and Supreme Court clerk of Court Ma. Luisa Villarama. The council likewise directed the nominees to attach to their application one copy each of their Income Tax Return for the past two years; 2010 clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation, Ombudsman, and Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP); proofs of age and Filipino citizenship; 2010 police clearance from place of residence; results of medical examination and sworn medical certificate with impressions on such results; and Certificate of Good Standing or latest official receipt from the IBP National Treasurer. - KBK, GMANews.TV