Profile: Justice Arturo Brion

MANILA, Philippines –  “Under the Brion Court, the SC [Supreme Court] will not be in the news,” he said. “We will work silently, away from the glare of the media.”

This is what Justice Arturo Brion said in 2010, when he was first interviewed for the position of chief justice. The High Court has been in the headlines then, receiving brickbats for one controversial ruling after the other, a number of which favored then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The High Court was also then reeling from criticisms after it exempted the judiciary from the appointment ban, which bars the president from making any appointments two months before the elections and up until her term ends on June 30.

“[The media] has been hammering the perception that the judiciary is not independent,” Brion told the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) in that public interview held in Baguio. The JBC is the body that vets aspirants to the judiciary for appointment by the president 

Two years later, however, Brion would see himself in the news after unleashing scathing remarks about the impeachment trial of now dismissed chief justice Renato Corona.

In a speech delivered before new lawyers on March 21, SC Justice Arturo Brion said the rule of law “recognizes and gives no special treatment to any President, cabinet member, legislator, justice or judge” and “recognizes neither the Supreme Court nor the Impeachment Court as a tribunal higher than the other; both must bow to the supremacy of the Constitution, our highest law.”

Brion showed his support for Corona — having been his friend for almost 42 years — until the 11th hour, so to speak, when Corona faced his accusers and signed a bank waiver allowing the scrutiny of his dollar deposits (Corona had US$2 million in his bank accounts) in May. All eyes were on Corona then after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales testified that Corona has $12 million in “fresh deposits.” 

Brion, along with Justices Roberto Abad (another aspirant for the post of chief justice), Martin Villarama and Jose Perez said they are willing to sign their bank waiver.

Brion is for charter change, saying it should be done through a constitutional convention, where delegates are elected. He said an amendment giving a definite percentage in the national budget for SC funding is needed.

Competence:

• has penned 481 decisions and resolutions in 2011
• has an average monthly output of 40 cases
• Brion heads the following committees:

– Sub-Committee on Commercial Courts

– JRSP (Judicial Reform Support Program) Sub-Committee on Enhancing Institutional Integrity.

Qualifications