CA panel endorses confirmation of Firme's appointment as JBC member

A Commission on Appointments (CA) committee on Wednesday endorsed the confirmation of the appointment of Nesauro Hernandez Firme as the representative of the academe to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

SAGIP party-list Representative Rodante Marcoleta asked the CA Committee on Justice and Judicial and Bar Council to recommend Firme's appointment to the plenary — a motion seconded by the panel members.

If confirmed by the plenary, Firme's term will expire on July 9, 2026.

During the hearing, Firme was asked about the proposals to transfer the power to assess the appointees to the Judiciary from the JBC to the CA.

Firme, in response, cited the discussions in the 1986 Constitutional Commission, explaining that the JBC was created as an innovation in response to public clamor to eliminate politics in the appointment of judges.

"It was mentioned there that the creation of JBC was actually a result of a holistic approach. It is like a four-legged tool as mentioned in the deliberations. One of which, of course, is the independence of the Supreme Court to political insinuations and security of tenure," he said.

Firme said the JBC was created as a compromise, noting that its present composition comes from the three independent branches of the government, while  the four other members need to undergo the confirmation process of the CA.

"So, I think, that is a holistic approach and it is my firm stance, your honor, that this approach will still be applicable at present situation," Firme said. —KBK, GMA News