JBC holds first round of interviews for new Supreme Court justice

MANILA — The Judicial and Bar Council started its interviews on Tuesday with applicants Aldwin Alegre, Jason Barlis, Geraldine Faith Econg and Lily Biton who are vying for the position to be vacated by Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier. 

As Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan, Econg was questioned by the JBC about her extensive experience in the anti-graft court.

Econg told the council that with the impending retirement of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo who also came from the Sandiganbayan, the Supreme Court will be left without a former anti-graft court magistrate. 

“I can assure everybody that I have a more focused attitude, more focused into the resolution of graft and corruption cases,” Econg said. 

Among the high profile cases handled by Econg at the Sandiganbayan were the acquittals of former senators Bong Revilla and Juan Ponce Enrile and the dismissal of Marcos Sr. cases. 

Among the public officials convicted by Econg was former Maguindanao governor Sajid Ampatuan.

“Everybody recognizes there is corruption, it is something that we confront day in and day out in the Sandiganbayan, it is not something we can close our eyes to,” Econg said.

The JBC is composed of Justice Secretary Justice Fredderick Vida, Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, retired SC Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, retired Court of Tax Appeals Associate Justice Erlinda Uy, JBC Regular Member representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and Senator Francis Pangilinan.

Aside from Econg, also interviewed were Bureau of Immigration Deputy Commissioner Aldwin Alegre, Legal Education Board Chairperson Jason Barlis and Court of Appeals Associate Justice Lily Biton. 

Asked about balancing possible disagreements in the leadership of the BI, Alegre says deliberations are always held to weigh the evidence using applicable rules and regulations. 

“We balance the rights of the individual in terms of liberties and the rights of the state,” Alegre said.

Barlis answered questions, among others, on when judicial activism comes into play. 

“I believe that judicial activism may qualify as the part of the judge taking a look at the spirit of the law,” Barlis said. 

Biton, for her part, was asked about her edge compared to the other applicants.

“I cannot say that I am better than the seniors, but I believe, your honors, everyone has his own time, but I have to take this kind of opportunity because I still have the energy and by God’s grace I want to serve the judiciary in this capacity,” Biton said.

The interviews will resume on Thursday with four more applicants while other applicants will no longer face the panel because of their prior interviews with the JBC.