Category Archives: Columns

“The goal is that after I retire in 2030—and Chief Justice Panganiban is there with me during my retirement ceremony—I will be leaving a judiciary that is professional and, may I dream big, that is the best sector in the bureaucracy; [a judiciary] that has systems that are world-class, according to best accreditation standards; [a judiciary] that people believe in; and [a judiciary] that those who are in the activity of creating the prosperity of our nation can rely on to protect a stable system of property rights and opportunities allocations.” Continue reading →

To speed up the delivery of justice, three significant reforms were instituted recently: (1) the “Judicial Affidavit Rule,” (2) the filling up of all judicial vacancies, and (3) the stabilization of judicial compensation. Continue reading →

Amid the serious economic crisis engulfing the developed world, the Philippines has shown remarkable resilience. This year, our economy grew 6.3 percent in the first quarter and 5.9 percent in the second quarter. This rate of growth may slow down a bit but it is still projected to end the year at 5.5 percent, better than many Asian neighbors like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam, but behind China and possibly Indonesia. Continue reading →

The post of chief justice is the highest and most important appointive post in the country. Some Presidents, like Ferdinand Marcos, Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, had the opportunity to name more than one chief justice, while some others, like Fidel Ramos, did not have the chance to appoint even one. Had Chief Justice Renato C. Corona not been impeached and ousted, President Benigno Aquino III would not have been able to appoint any because Corona’s term would have outlasted his. Continue reading →

The newly named Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno (Chief Meilou to her close friends) personifies President Aquino’s twin ideals of “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” She is steeped in both law and economics—one who, by education, training, aptitude and experience, understands the intertwining relationship between good governance and good economics. Continue reading →

Though deeply aggrieved and disappointed, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has decided to move on. She will no longer contest her exclusion by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) from the short list for chief justice. Continue reading →

That is the question that—as in “Hamlet”—haunts, complicates, befuddles and delays the selection process of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). Originally, the JBC planned to submit its short list to President Aquino on July 30. This timetable would have given the President about a month to study the list and to appoint the new chief justice therefrom. Continue reading →

The nomination process being conducted by the Judicial and Bar Council has thus far been transparent, accountable and dignified. Under the glare of live TV and radio coverage, the JBC members asked probing and searching questions without crossing the limits of decency and civility. Devoid of circus-like harangues, the JBC sessions truly become the Judicial Department, of which the council is constitutionally an integral part. Continue reading →

Since it was founded 111 years ago on June 11, 1901, the Supreme Court (SC) has always been led by an insider, except only once during World War II when the country was occupied by a foreign power. In fact, the exception, former Speaker Jose Yulo, was named chief justice by the occupying Japanese military command, not by a duly elected President. Continue reading →

Starting on Tuesday, July 24, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will interview daily, with live media coverage, the candidates for the highest judicial post in the land. How to make the process transparent and accountable while preserving the dignity of both the selection procedure and the judiciary is the JBC’s big challenge. Verily, it is not only the candidates who will be judged but also the JBC itself. Continue reading →