IBP to push through with investigation on De Lima cases

 

In an interview with GMA News Online, IBP president Roan Libarios said they came up with the decision since it was the Supreme Court that instructed the IBP to look into the disbarment cases.

 

On July 11, the high court issued to the IBP its preliminary findings on De Lima’s pending disbarment cases. The Supreme Court likewise asked IBP to investigate further on the cases.

 

The IBP has 90 days to investigate the pending cases against De Lima, who is among 20 aspirants to the chief justice position.

 

De Lima’s pending disbarment cases include one filed by Attorney Agustin Sundiam and the other by Attorney Ricardo Rivera. 

 

De Lima was accused by Sundiam of publicly bashing former Chief Justice Renato Corona. On the other hand, Rivera wanted De Lima disbarred following the Justice chief's defiance to a temporary restraining order issued by the high court that allowed former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to travel abroad late last year. SC chief post

 

Meanwhile, Libarios kept mum if De Lima may still continue to vie for the chief magistrate position even if she has pending cases. He said that it is up to the Judicial and Bar Council to resolve the issue.

 

Under Section 5 of Rule 4 of the Rules of the JBC (JBC-009), a person is barred from vying a post in the judiciary and in the Office of the Ombudsman if he or she:

 

 

Libarios earlier said that a disbarment case equates to an administrative case.

 

In a separate interview with reporters on Monday, acting Supreme Court spokesperson Gleoresty Guerra said the JBC will decide on Wednesday whether De Lima may continue to vie for the chief justice position while she still has pending cases.

 

On Wednesday’s deliberation, the JBC members were also set to come up with a ‘shortlist’ containing names of at least three candidates from which the President will pick the next chief justice.  — RSJ, GMA News