JBC starts public hearings on proposed amendments to rules

MANILA, Philippines - The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will hold public consultation this month on the proposed amendments to the Rules of the JBC, including the disqualification rules.                                                                                       

The public consultations will be conducted on Sept. 8, 9 and 12 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Supreme Court.

To be discussed are proposed amendments to Section 5, Rule 4 of the Rules of the JBC (JBC-09), as amended.                 

In a statement, the Supreme Court said that Section 5 of the JBC Rules stipulates that those with pending criminal cases or regular administrative cases are disqualified from being appointed to any judicial post if it was determined by the council that the charges are serious or grave enough as to affect the fitness of the applicant for nomination.

Also disqualified from nomination are those with pending criminal cases in foreign courts or tribunals, as well as those who have been convicted of any criminal case.                   

Likewise disqualified from appointment to any judicial post are those who have been found guilty in an administrative case, unless granted clemency by the agency that imposed the administrative sanction.                                                 

Disqualified from nomination are those found guilty of the following administrative offenses: serious offenses fined with over P20,000; and offenses meted with suspension and deprivation of salary worth P20,000.                                     

Invited to the consultation are representatives of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, judges associations, non-government organizations, association of law deans and law professors, as well as jurists and public officials enjoying high esteem among their colleagues.                                         

The hearing will be presided over by Chief Justice and JBC ex-officio chair Renato Corona.