LACSON: PERALTA WENT THROUGH THE PROPER PROCESS

Amid questions surrounding his appointment, new Supreme Court associate justice Diosdado Peralta went through the proper screening process and deserves a chance to prove his worth.

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson pointed this out as he said Peralta passed a "tedious and unprecedented transparent" screening process by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

"If there are doubts to his competence and integrity, those who question the same should have raised the issues while he was under scrutiny by the JBC as it is the right forum for such arguments," Lacson said.

Besides, Lacson said Peralta's selection by Malacañang to the high court did not appear to involve any shortcuts.

Some sectors had questioned Peralta's appointment, saying it was a reward for convicting former President Joseph Estrada for plunder in 2007.