Election Politics and the Issue of Chief Justice Succession
Election Politics and the Issue of Chief Justice Succession
By Marcing Pin
Just recently and even now, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) faces increasing pressure over the upcoming vacancy of one of the most important positions in the Philippines, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The incumbent Chief Justice Reynato Puno is set to retire in May 17, 2010 and about the same time that the country has no Senate President and House Speaker to lead the Legislative branch of the government. The current resident of the Malacañang Palace and her allies wants to appoint the new Chief Justice before the General Election while some members of the opposition, lead by Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III wants the right to appoint the new Chief Justice be given to the incoming elected president after May 2010 or should I say, after June 30, 2010.
