By Charissa Luci-Atienza
Leaders of the House of Representatives urged yesterday the public to keenly monitor the Judicial and Bar Council's process of selecting the new Chief Justice.
Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu (FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu said the public should keep a tight watch on JBC's submission of shortlist of candidates for the top SC post after the Supreme Court affirmed its ruling ousting former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
“After due process was served, it is time to move on. We have closed this chapter in the history of judiciary. Let's work together to ensure that the next Chief Justice is fit, morally upright with unquestioned integrity, incorruptible, irreproachable, and has adequate ability or skill to lead and strengthen the judiciary,” he said.
He also called on the public to respect the SC ruling.
“Let’s be advocates of sobriety by respecting the authority of the Supreme Court being the last bulwark of democracy,” Abu said.
Isabela Rep. Rodolfo (Rodito) Albano III, who is part of the 12-man House contingent to the Commission on Appointments (CA), agreed with Abu, saying that public should keep an eye on the JBC's submission of shortlist of names vying for the Chief Justice post.
"We have to move forward now because this is the best for the country to strengthen the judiciary,” he said.
Albano said that he was not surprised by the ruling and that "Sereno should not expect that it will be overturned.”