KIKO GETS SENATE SUPPORT ON JBC
OPEN VOTING PROPOSAL

Independent senator Kiko Pangilinan today lauded the move of a majority of senators to support his proposition to open the voting process of the Judicial and Bar Council as it chooses the incoming Supreme Court justice positions.

"We are grateful that many of our colleagues recognize the urgency and importance of opening the voting process of the JBC to the public. For the first time the restoration of democracy in 1986, the Supreme Court will retire seven of its justices within a period of one year, that is next year, in 2009. The power of the appointment of seven Justices of the Supreme Court is indeed a power never before exercised in so many vacancies in such as short period. Its exercise may be abused if not checked, that's why the process must be safeguarded and the citizens must be involved," Kiko said.

Supreme Court Justice Ruben Reyes will retire on January 3, 2009. Also due to retire next year are: Justices Azcuna on February 16; Dante Tinga on May 11; Adolfo Consuelo Ynares-Santiago on October 5; Leonardo Quisumbing on November 6; and Minita Chico-Nazario on December 5.

The Senate filed Resolution 775 expressing the sense of the Senate that the JBC should disclose to the public the outcome of the voting process for any judicial post in the Sandiganbayan, Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court for purposes of transparency and accountability in the selection and nomination process of the JBC. Authored by Kiko, the resolution was signed by 14 other senators Pimentel, Allan and Pia Cayetano, Estrada, Roxas, Angara, Biazon, Lacson, Legarda, Honasan, Revilla and Escudero.

"There was a nagging perception before that the JBC was an all boys club because the public was not made aware of the processes. We have made progress over the years in terms of transparency, and we urge the members of the JBC to take this opportunity to show further the body's relevance in this crucial time and divulging who they voted for and why these nominees are fit to hold such a vital position," Kiko added.

Senator Kiko is the former Senate ex-officio member to the JBC. He now works with his brainchild watchdog group Bantay Korte Suprema, a multi-sector organization that aims to ensure that the nomination, evaluation, recommendation and appointment of the seven incoming Supreme Court Justices be transparent and public, and not duly influenced by parochial and short-term political considerations.