Press Release
January 15, 2009

KIKO TO PERALTA: YOU OWE YOUR NEW POST TO THE FILIPINO PEOPLE AND NOT TO PGMA

Judicial reform advocate and Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan welcomed the appointment of Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Diosdado Peralta as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court who replaced Justice Ruben Reyes who retired on January 3, 2009.

"We trust that Justice Peralta is fully aware that his appointment comes at a time when there is serious concern about ensuring the independence of the judiciary considering that six more justices are going to retire this year," Kiko said.

Kiko, who convened the Bantay Korte Suprema, a movement calling for transparency and independence from partisan politics in the selection and appointment of justices in the Supreme Court, said that Justice Peralta should rise up to the occasion to protect the Supreme Court's integrity at this crucial juncture in the nation's history. The Bantay Korte Suprema challenges Justice Peralta to hit the ground running,

"He doesn't owe his appointment to President Arroyo but to our people from whom all government authority emanates," Kiko added.

As there are six more vacancies to fill, Kiko calls the public to remain vigilant in the succeeding appointments in the Supreme Court. Justice Adolf Azcuna who retires on February 16, 2009 is the next seat to fill.

"A more aggressive search should be conducted by the Judicial and Bar Council to encourage more qualified individuals to apply. Let us widen our pool of nominees and not be content with candidates from Manila. The search should be far reaching to engage individuals from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to apply," Kiko ended.

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