Chavez: CJ shortlist shows preference for insiders

MANILA, Philippines - Former Solicitor General Frank Chavez on Monday said the latest shortlist for the position of Chief Justice shows the preference of Judicial and Bar Council members for Supreme Court insiders.

In a statement, Chavez said the JBC selection process showed that council members "were quite deferential to candidates coming from the court."

"It was to me an indication of their preference. And this was validated by the results of the list they submitted to the President," he said.

The JBC chose this afternoon eight names for its shortlist of nominees for the position of Chief Justice. They are incumbent Supreme Court justices Antonio Carpio, Roberto Abad, Arturo Brion, Teresita Leonardo De Castro and Maria Lourdes Sereno; Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza, ex-Ateneo Law School Dean Cesar Villanueva and former congressman Ronaldo Zamora.

Chavez said he has no problems if either Jardeleza or former Ateneo Law School Dean Cesar Villanueva are appointed Chief Justice.

He added that he is personally rooting for Jardeleza, who is an SC outsider.

"I have always been rooting for an outsider and I believe that his nature and his outlook would be assets to providing the unifying force and healing the wounds of the institution," he said.

He also said the JBC can now look at the pending motion for reconsideration filed by Sen. Francis Escudero and Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., questioning a Supreme Court to decision to limit congressional representation in the JBC to one.

He said he is confident that the plea does not raise any new ground, and could be rejected by the SC.

Chavez earlier questioned the present JBC composition, which allots 2 seats instead of one to Congress. The SC upheld his petition but decided to lift the provision imposing its effectivity immediately until after the JBC vote on the next Chief Justice.