Marcos reappoints ex-SC Justice Mendoza to JBC after CA deferment

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has reappointed retired Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Jose Mendoza to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

This was confirmed by Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro in a message to reporters on Saturday.

Mendoza’s reappointment as member representing the retired SC justices in the JBC, expiring on July 9, 2029, came after the Commission on Appointments (CA) deferred his confirmation last week. 

During the CA Committee on Justice and Judicial and Bar Council’s hearing, Ako Bicol Party-list Representative 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.

The CA deferment of Mendoza’s appointment was amid Senator Imee Marcos’ expression of alarm over the retired SC justice’s responses to certain questions, such as the inclusion of then Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to the shortlist of aspirants for the Ombudsman post.

“[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 Senator 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. 

Marcos eventually appointed Remulla to the post, besting six other applicants that made it to the shortlist submitted by the JBC. —KG, GMA Integrated News