Marvic Leonen named SC associate justice

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday named chief government negotiator Marvic Leonen as Supreme Court (SC) associate justice, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda announced.

The 49-year-old Leonen, a former University of the Philippines law dean, will take the position vacated by Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.

The other candidates to the position as recommended by the Judicial and Bar Council were former energy secretary Raphael Lotilla, Court of Appeals (CA) presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr., Justice Rosmari Carandang, CA Justices Jose Reyes Jr. and Noel Tijam and De La Salle University law dean Jose Manuel Diokno.

In a press briefing in Malacañang, Lacierda assured that Leonen's appointment to the high court will not affect the government's ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). Both panels have signed the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which paves the way for a final peace agreement and the creation of a new Bangsamoro regional entity.

Leonen is the chairman of the goverment panel in talks with the MILF.

Lacierda also assured that the SC's pending decision on the petitions against the framework agreement will not be influenced by Leonen's appointment. He said that Leonen will inhibit from the SC's hearings on the petitions.

Judicial reform

The presidential spokesperson said that Leonen's appointment is part of the Aquino administration's vision to reform the judiciary.

"President Aquino views his appointment as a contribution to his vision of an empowered, independent, and reformist Judiciary," Lacierda said in a statement.

Malacanang underscored Leonen's contribution to the drafting and signing of the framework agreement between the government and the MILF.

"Dean Leonen had contributed significantly to the cause of a just, dignified, and lasting peace with our Muslim brothers and sisters while keeping with the spirit and letter of the Constitution.

"The appointment of Dean Leonen is one that the President views as a lasting legacy of his administration, consistent with his desire of a judiciary imbued with the highest standards of independence, probity and integrity," the statement added.

Lacierda said that Presidential Peace Adviser Teresita Deles has been asked by Aquino to look for the replacement of Leonen. Dennis Carcamo