MANILA, Philippines - The Judicial Bar and Council on Wednesday announced the opening for application or recommendation for the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, which will be vacated by Chief Justice Reynato Puno when he retires on May 17.
The JBC, through its ex-officio secretary and Clerk of Court, lawyer Ma. Luisa Villarama, said the council will be accepting applications and recommendations not later than February 4, 2010. The council will also accept sworn complaints, written reports or opposition against any candidates not later than February 1, 2010.
Among the top contenders for the Chief Justice post are the five most senior associate justices of the SC namely Antonio Carpio, Renato Corona, Conchita Carpio-Carpio Morales, Presbitero Velasco and Antonio Eduardo Nachura.
The JBC on Monday unanimously agreed to start the selection process for the new Supreme Court chief but did not reach a decision on when to submit the list of its recommendations to President Arroyo.
Many legal experts say the JBC can only submit its list of nominees when there is already a vacancy, not before.
Party-list group Bayan Muna on Tuesday filed House Bill 7109 explicitly prohibiting the President from making appointments to judicial posts, including that of chief justice of the Supreme Court, during the period covered by the constitutional ban on midnight appointments.
Bayan Muna representatives Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño, and Neri Colmenares maintained that the 1987 Constitution is clear that President Arroyo cannot appoint the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno. They said they filed the bill to remove any doubt on the unconstitutionality of proposals that President Arroyo can ignore the ban on midnight appointments.
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