CA panel defers confirmation of ex-SC Justice Mendoza as JBC member

A panel of the Commission of Appointments (CA) on Tuesday deferred the confirmation of the ad interim appointment of retired Supreme Court Justice Jose Catral Mendoza as a member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), representing retired justices of the high tribunal.

During the CA Committee on Justice and Judicial and Bar Council’s hearing, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. moved to defer the recommendation of Mendoza’s ad interim appointment to the plenary due to lack of material time. 

Panel chairperson Senator Rodante Marcoleta approved the motion as there were no objections from the panel’s members.

This came after Senator Imee Marcos expressed alarm Mendoza’s responses to certain questions, such the inclusion of then Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to the shortlist of aspirants for the Ombudsman post.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday eventually appointed Remulla to the post, besting six other applicants that made it to the shortlist submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council.??

“[I’m] casting a doubt on indeed the probity and independence of the Judicial Bar Council. At this juncture therefore, I am unable, without further clarification and more responsive and adequate answers from the Justice, to support the appointment of Justice Mendoza. I’m sorry po,” said Marcos, the President's elder sister.

Mendoza explained that Remulla was able to obtain and submit a clearance from the Ombudsman, following the dismissal of the cases filed against him in connection with the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte in March this year.

“The voting yesterday was in secret, it was confidential. We do not know the members who voted for him and the members who did not vote for him. So, may we ask your indulgence on that. We respect the confidentiality of the JBC proceedings because the Chief Justice Alex Gesmundo even asked us to execute an undertaking that everything should be confidential for the protection of the members of the JBC, especially the regular members who are not politicians,” Mendoza said. 

Marcoleta also asked Mendoza on his position regarding Remulla’s supposed affirmation that the law should be bent.

“I do not have time really to read the social media, but my position is different. I am a believer of the rule of law. I was a justice for several years at regional trial court. When I was a regional trial court [judge], I adhered to precedents. Also, when I was a Justice in the Court of Appeals, I adhered to the precedents. When I was in the Supreme Court, whenever I make a ruling, I was very aware that our decisions would be considered as precedents by those following us. So, that's my experience being in the judiciary. That’s why I believe in the rule of law,” Mendoza answered. — JMA, GMA Integrated News