Group wants transparent selection of Supreme Court justices

CEBU, Philippines - The Bantay Korte Suprema, a watchdog group that focuses on the judiciary and the selection of the next set of appointees to the Supreme Court, believes that the current system does not promote transparency and has the tendency to create negative speculations to the public.

The group conducted information dissemination and orientation yesterday to the members of the legal sector in Cebu.

“Seven of the 15 incumbent SC Justices, or almost the majority of said collegial body, are retiring within one year beginning December last year to December this year. Only one person, the president, is appointing these vacancies, and only upon the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council,” Bantay Korte Suprema reported.

Stressing that the SC holds a great power and great responsibility over the people and whole government system, Bantay Korte Suprema believes that the selection process should be more transparent to avoid doubts on the very credibility of the appointments.

“The Supreme Court is considered the final arbiter of legal controversies. It stands reflective of the Judiciary and our entire legal system,” Bantay Korte Suprema said.

The group also encourages public participation in the evaluation of the fitness, integrity and competence of nominees to the SC.

“We also seek to ensure that appointment of justices is not influenced by parochial, short-term political consideration,” said Marvick Leonen, Dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law.

Leonen stressed that the SC is very powerful so those people rightful to manage it should be the best from among the best qualified justices.

Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, convenor of the Bantay Korte Suprema, said that they need a strong intervention of stakeholders to ensure greater transparency.

Since the group was founded since November last year, there have been calls to open voting. — Jessica Ann Pareja/BRP