Duterte to consult lawyers on next CJ

President Rodrigo Duterte said yesterday the next Chief Justice will be announced after he has consulted members of the law profession.

“It would depend on the recommendation of people. I have to consult not only the Justices themselves but also members of the law profession,” Duterte said in Panglao, Bohol late Thursday.

Duterte, a former fiscal, has specifically mentioned the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Philippine Constitutional Association (PCA)as among the groups he would consult.

Mr. Duterte said ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno “wasted” the prestige of the top position in the judiciary which she held for nearly six years until the SC affirmed her ouster last June 19.

“She wasted the prestige of the Chief Justice [position]. What a waste. Not everybody can be appointed as Chief Justice. It’s a gift from my God as I conceive him to be,” Mr. Duterte said.

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) recently opened the process of selecting Sereno’s replacement. Under the 1987 Constitution the President has 90 days to name her replacement.

Mr. Duterte also welcomed Sereno’s plan to seek a Senate seat. “That is wonderful, she can move from chief justice to senator. Wonderful, vote for her,” he said.

Duterte said acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, being one of five senior justices who received automatic nominations, is not precluded from becoming the next Chief Justice, “but the guy has already said he is not interested.”

“He said he is not interested and he will not accept. He does not want the position,” Duterte said when asked if Carpio is being considered as Sereno’s replacement.

The IBP, however, last June 26 still endorsed Carpio for the vacant top judiciary post.