Corona prosecutors closely watching CJ selection

MANILA, Philippines – They caused the vacuum, after all. The prosecutors of former Chief Justice Renato Corona are closely watching the selection of his replacement, according to prosecution spokesperson Re. Miro Quimbo.

One month since the Senate removed Corona, Quimbo said some members of the prosecution panel occasionally meet to discuss the trial. He said many of them are tempted to participate in the selection process for the next chief justice but they know that it’s best to keep quiet because they realize the importance of making sure it is not politicized.

Among the prosecution panel members, only lead prosecutor Niel Tupas Jr—as member of the vetting body Judicial and Bar Council (JBC)—is involved in the selection process. He said the rest of the team have shied away from media interviews on the selection process.

“I’ve been talking to some of the prosecutors. In one respect, we feel like there’s also a responsibility on our part to make sure [the replacement is worthy],” Quimbo said.

The House of Representatives, after all, is the sole body that can evaluate Supreme Court justices through the impeachment process. Corona was the first chief justice to be impeached.

“But the very reason why we’ve had a flawed [selection process in the past] is because it’s too politically laden,” he said.

The impeachment trial made them appreciate the selection process more, he added.

“Members of congress generally jump on any bandwagon where they can put their influence in. But we realized that the position is so holy that it should be insulated from politics. It’s almost impossible but I think we should do our share by giving the JBC as much independence as it needs,” he said.

Integrity and Independence

For his part, Tupas said he appreciates his responsibility even more. The Senate and the House of Representatives have one representative each to the JBC. Sen Francis Escudero, who voted to convict Corona, represents the Senate.

“You appreciate it because the fight really was to reform the judiciary. We started from the top because we thought that was the problem,” he said.

The constitutional requirements — competence, probity, integrity, and independence — are so important, according to him.

Tupas said they can find “a lot” of people with competence and probity, but it’s difficult to find people with integrity and independence.

“Integrity… That’s the reason why Corona was impeached. Independence is very important. No matter how good you are, no matter how skillful and intelligent, if you are not independent then nothing will happen. We will go back to square one,” he said. – Rappler.com