GMA confirms Nazario appointment recall

President Arroyo confirmed yesterday that she recalled the appointment of Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Minita Chico-Nazario to the Supreme Court.

Speaking about the matter for the first time, the President said Nazario will continue to handle the corruption case against ousted President Joseph Estrada at the Sandiganbayan.

"With regards to Justice Nazario, there is a clamor for her to finish some of the more important issues regarding the Estrada case, which she is handling," Mrs. Arroyo said. "So I am giving her some time with regard to that."

According to The Star’s report published yesterday, sources within Malacañang said the President asked Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr. to withdraw Nazario’s appointment for unknown reasons.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye had also attempted to retrieve copies of Nazario’s appointment from the Malacañang Press Corps "for correction" Thursday.

Nazario’s appointment has sparked controversy and confusion, as Malacañang refused to confirm the report.

Initial reports of Nazario’s appointment came from Malacañang, where reporters covering the Palace were given copies of Nazario’s appointment papers, signed by the President, on Feb. 11. The original document was signed Feb. 10.

However, right after the documents were released, Bunye tried to get them back, but the news had already been broadcast over radio.

During a press conference, Bunye refused to comment on the matter of Nazario’s appointment, saying the President has already issued a statement on the matter.

He admitted that he was not directly authorized by the President to release the documents on Nazario’s appointment. He declined to identify who approved the release of the document to media.

"We will make the necessary announcements, whatever is needed," Bunye said. "The President has made some comments on this, we’ll leave it at that for the time being."

Meanwhile, Nazario denied The STAR report.

Lawyer Renato Bocar, who was authorized to speak on Nazario’s behalf, told The STAR that the article reporting the recall of Nazario’s appointment to the SC was "inaccurate," since Nazario has in her possession a copy of the appointment paper "signed by President Arroyo."

"I will abide by any schedule the President may set for my oath-taking," Nazario said.

"That’s not true," he said. "There’s an appointment and she even personally called Malacañang today and she received an assurance that her appointment was not recalled or withdrawn."

Bocar added that Nazario’s appointment, conveyed via fax transmittal from the Palace, is "considered official" under the Electronic Evidence rule.