JBC concludes interviews, to submit shortlist of nominees for chief justice to Marcos

MANILA — The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Monday concluded its interviews for candidates for the Supreme Court chief justice position and is expected to submit a shortlist of nominees to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. 

Associate Justices Rodil Zalameda, Japar Dimaampao and Jose Midas Marquez faced the JBC on Monday, the second and final day of the candidates’ interviews for the top SC post. 

The council interviewed Associate Justices Marvic Leonen and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa Thursday last week.

During the Monday interviews, JBC member Senator Francis Pangilinan asked the candidates whether the judiciary failed in the fight against corruption, citing controversies involving the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and flood control projects scams.

Zalameda said corruption is not the sole responsibility of the judiciary but a concern that must be addressed by branches of the government.

“If I am appointed as chief justice, I think I will form a monitoring group which will monitor the stages of the cases involving these graft and corruption cases and this monitoring group will have to report to me from arraignment to judgment,” Zalameda said.

Dimaapao, meanwhile, vowed to strengthen accountability in the judiciary and to remind judges of their constitutional duties.

“I will be guided by fiat justitia ruat caelum, let justice be done though the heavens fall,” Dimaampao said.

Marquez said the continued digital monitoring of cases through the judiciary’s electronic court system could help address delays in the resolution of cases.

“So doon po, magmula sa RTC (Regional Trial Courts) o kasama na ang Sandiganbayan makikita natin kung kelan na-file ang kasong ito, gaano katagal ito umaandar,” Marquez said.

JBC member Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro also asked Dimaampao what the public could expect from him if he becomes the country’s first Muslim chief justice.

“I would like to be remembered not simply as the first Muslim to serve as chief justice, but as a chief justice who upheld the supremacy of the Constitution, defended and protected the independence of the judiciary and ensured that justice was served without fear or favor,” Dimaampao said.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, also a JBC member, noted that Marquez, at 60, is the youngest among the applicants.

Marquez highlighted the importance of collegiality among Supreme Court members, a practice he said had been observed under the leadership of retiring Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.

“Palagay ko kaya ko rin gawin, tularan o kung kayang higitan pa, gagawin natin,” Marquez said.

Aside from appointing Gesmundo’s successor, Marcos is also expected to name the next Supreme Court Associate Justice to replace Amy Lazaro-Javier.

Meantime, the JBC has also submitted to the President its shortlist of nominees for Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon.

The nominees are:

• Chan, Dennis  Arvin 
• Dellosa, Joeven 
• Felizmenio, Francisco 
• Medrano, Ryan 
• Palattao, Rodolfo John Robert, IV 
• Ty, Nicholas Felix Lopez

Former Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Cornelio Somido retired in August.