The Judicial Bar Council (JBC) earlier today, shortlisted seven out of 15 candidates for the Associate Justice post left vacant after President Benigno Aquino III appointed Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (SC) last August 24, 2012. Two out of the seven nominees are DLSU faculty members.
DLSU College of Law Founding Dean Jose Manuel Diokno and DLSU Commercial Law Department professor and Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Jose C. Reyes, Jr. joined Associate Justice Rosemari D. Carandang, former University of the Philippines Law Dean Marvic M. Leonen, former Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo M. Lotilla, CA Associate Justice Noel G. Tijam and CA Presiding Justice Andres B. Reyes, Jr. in the list of candidates.
In an interview with The LaSallian, Dean Diokno affirms, “I am ready to serve in whatever capacity should the President (Aquino) decide my appointment.”
He, however, explains that he has mixed feelings about his candidacy since he would most likely have to leave his administrative position at DLSU. He assures that the college is in capable hands in the event that he would be chosen.
Commercial Law Department professor Justice Jose Reyes also explains that if the President (Aquino) chooses him, he may also have to leave his teaching post at DLSU.
He furthers that being nominated for the position is an honor, adding that if he receives the position, he plans to strengthen some of the already existing judicial reforms such as making the courts more accessible to the poor through the Justice on Wheels program.
“We need to promote the Moral Recovery Program of the government,” Reyes reminds, highlighting the need to incorporate ethical values in the courts to reduce corruption.
