Kiko to CA justices aspiring for SC: 'You better watch out!'

Senate Majority Floor Leader and Judicial Bar Council (JBC) ex oficio member Kiko Pangilinan's today warned Court of Appeals (CA) Justices Celia Librea-Leagogo, Regalado Maambong and Sixto C. Marella, Jr. to think twice before aspiring for seats in the Supreme Court (SC) next year.

A week ago, the Senator publicly criticized the three justices' rejection of the request for Writ of Amparo by the brother of Whistleblower Jun Lozada.

Before that, Kiko also criticized CA Justices Vicente Roxas, Jose Sabio Jr., Bienvenido Reyes, Conrado Vasquez and Myrna Dimaranan-Vidal for being found guilty of committing lapses in handling the case of the Manila Electric Co. (MERALCO) versus the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

"It's not over. Should they decide to seek seats in the SC next year, I will grill them during the public interviews and ask them to explain how they came up with such a lamentable ruling. I will seek clarification as to the legal basis for the decision to deny the Lozada petition. I will probe as to whether or not their decisions were meant to appease Malacanang considering that six new justices will be appointed to the SC next year," vowed Kiko.

According to its rules, the JBC's most crucial function is its task of recommending candidates for judicial positions "because the virtues and qualities of competence, integrity, probity and independence are not easily determinable as they are nurtured and developed through the years; and is self evident that, to be a good judge, one must have attained sufficient mastery of law and legal principles, be of irreproachable character and must possessed unsullied reputation and integrity, should consider his office as a sacred public trust."

A JBC resolution requires public notice about the opening of nominations to judicial positions. The same goes for the list of applicants to such. Kiko believes that, in keeping with such transparency, the three CA justices should assure the public that their decision was not affected by whatever aspirations they may have.

"We should be very meticulous in our search for six new SC justices. Their jobs are crucial not only in dispensing justice to citizens but also, in light of the current moves for charter change, in possibly deciding on the direction our country will take. I call on the public to be vigilant. My office will accept not only nominations but also complaints against candidates to the SC. Tanging yung mga taong marangal, may integridad at walang bahid dungis lamang ang karapat-dapat maupo sa Korte Suprema," Kiko concluded.