IBP hits GMA over appointment of CJ

CEBU, Philippines - The Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu Chapter has issued a resolution condemning President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s appointment of Associate Justice Renato Corona as the new Supreme Court chief justice.

The resolution, read by IBP President Cebu Chapter Michael Yu, said that Arroyo’s move was tantamount to grave abuse of authority and violation of the Constitution since Chief Justice Reynato Puno has not yet vacated his post. Puno is set to retire on May 17.

Last May 12, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo chose Corona as the next chief justice from the list of nominees submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council.

“It is of public knowledge that the retirement date of Chief Justice Renato Puno will be on 17 May 2010. It is, therefore, crystal clear that there is still no vacancy as of the moment in the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,” the resolution said.

“In short, the vacancy has not yet occurred. Considering that there is yet no vacancy in the position of the Supreme Court Chief Justice, the authority to appoint a replacement has not yet come into play. The same Supreme Court decision did not give any authority to the incumbent President to appoint the next Chief Justice before the retirement date of Chief Puno on May 17. The said Decision even stated that the duty to make an appointment only commences within 90 days after the occurrence of the vacancy,” it added.

He said that they will furnish copies of the resolution to the president, the Supreme Court, the IBP national office and to the IBP-Eastern Visayas Governor.   (FREEMAN NEWS)