Palace to abide by ruling on Jardeleza

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang will abide by the decision of the Supreme Court on the appeal filed by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) questioning the inclusion of former Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza in the shortlist of candidates for SC associate justice that eventually led to his appointment.

“My understanding from the report is that the JBC is arguing that the issue is not yet moot because of the appointment. So we will have to wait (for) what the Supreme Court will say on this,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing.

The JBC, in a motion for reconsideration, asked the SC to reverse its decision last Aug. 19 to include Jardeleza in the shortlist for an SC seat.

The council said the “instant case sets a dangerous precedent at a time when the JBC is bent on performing its mandate to the fullest.”

The JBC noted it was not questioning Jardeleza’s appointment – only his inclusion in the shortlist emanating from the SC ruling.

“The majority decision resulted in judicial overreach by altering the shortlist,” read the motion.

“The Constitution gave JBC sole discretion to determine presidential recommendees to the judiciary,” it added.

Valte said they would leave it to the SC to answer JBC’s motion.

“My understanding is that the focus of the actual issue involving the exclusion of the former solicitor general centered on a JBC rule that required a unanimous vote when an issue of integrity is raised against a nominee,” Valte said.