PNoy: De Lima should continue JBC, DOJ duties 

President Benigno Aquino III said late Wednesday he wants Justice Secretary Leila de Lima to perform her duties with the Judicial and Bar Council and the Department of Justice.

 

In an interview with reporters in London before leaving for the United States, Aquino said he also wanted De Lima to focus on cases pending before her office.

 

The Justice secretary was one of those reportedly being considered for the post vacated by impeached Chief Justice Renato Corona. Thus, De Lima decided to inhibit herself from the JBC proceedings or the selection process for the new chief magistrate.

 

“Baka dapat kausapin  ko siya na huwag  ka nang magpa-consider diyan at gawin mo iyong papel mo bilang vice chair ng JBC,” the president said. “Maraming cases na pending na hina-handle niya, eh.”

 

De Lima is part of the seven-member JBC, the eighth being the chair. She is one of four ex-officio members, along with acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio as ex-officio chairman and Sen. Chiz Escudero and Rep. Niel Tupas as ex-officio members.

 

The four other members are Lawyer Ma. Milagros Fernan-Cayosa, representing the IBP; lawyer Jose Mejia representing the academe; retired SC Associate Justice Regino Hermosisima Jr.; and Aurora Santiago-Lagman representing the private sector.

 

The JBC was created under the 1987 Constitution for the purpose of coming up with three nominees for each vacancy in the judiciary. The President can only appoint judges and justices from the short list of nominees endorsed by the JBC.

 

“Hindi ba parang  bastos iyon, parang papakiusapan ko siya, dinaan ko muna sa inyo?” the President said.

 

“Parang out of delicadeza naman bago ko sasabihin na ‘di ba that’s a new path to her career, eh, bigyan ko naman ng courtesy na pag-usapan namin nang maayos bago maglabas ng kung anumang statement,” Aquino added. —Amita Legaspi/VS, GMA News