Jardeleza vs. Sereno

Jardeleza vs. Sereno Sereno

FACTS: •

I n2 01 4,i nc umb e ntSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lFr a nc i sJ a r d e l e z awa sno mi mi na t e dt o r e p l ac er e t i r i ngAs s o c i at eJus t i c eRo be r t oAba d.

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CJSe r e noma ma ni f e s t e dt ha ts h ewo ul db ei n v o ki ngSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC009 4r e g ar d i ngaq ue s t i o no nJ ar d e l e z a’ si nt e gr i t yo v e rhi shandl i ngo fan i nt e r nat i o nalar b i t r a t i o nc a s ef o rt hego v e r nme nt .

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Whe nJa r d e l e z aa pp e a r e dbe f o r et heJ BC,hewa sa s k e db yCJSe r e n oi fhe want e dt ode f e ndhi ms e l fa gai ns tt hei nt e g r i t yi s s ue sr a i s e dag ai ns thi m.He a ns we r e dt ha thewo ul dd e f e ndhi ms e l fp r o v i d e dt ha td uepr o c e s swo ul db e o b s e r v e d .J ar d e l e z as p e c i fic a l l yde ma ma nd e dt ha tCJSe r e noa ndAJCa r p i o e x e c ut eas wo r ns t at e me me nts p e c i f y i ngt he i ro bj e c t i o nsa ndt hatheb eaffo r de d t her i g htt oc r o s s e x ami net he mi napubl i che ar i ng .Fi nal l y , her e q ue s t e dt he J BCt od e f e ri t sme me e t i ngc o ns i d e r i ngt ha tt heCo ur tEnBa ncwo ul dme me e tt he ne x td ayt oa c to nhi spe ndi ngl e t t e r pe t i t i o n.Att hi sj unc t ur e ,Jar d el e z awas e x c u s e d .

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La t e ri nt hea f t e r no o no ft hes a me meda y , a ndappa r e nt l yde ny i ngJa r de l e z a ’ s r e q ue s tf o rd ef e r me me nto ft hepr o c e e di ng s ,t heJBCc o nt i nue di t sd el i be r a t i o ns andpr o c e e de dt ov o t ef o rt heno mi mi ne e st obei nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s t . The r e a f t e r ,t heJBCr e l e as e dt hes ubj e c ts ho r tl i s to ff o ur( 4)no mi mi ne e swhi c h e x c l ude dJa r de l e z a .

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Co ns e q ue nt l y , Jar d e l e z afil e dt hepr e s e ntpe t i t i o nf o rc rc e r t i o r ar i and mandamus wi t hpr a y e rf o rt hei s s ua nc eo faTRO,s e e ki ngt oc o mp mp e lt he J BCt oi nc l udehi mi nt hel i s to fno mi mi ne e s .

I SSUE UE: •

Do e st heSup r e me meCo ur t ’ sp o we ro fs u pe r v i s i o no v e rt heJ BCi nc l ud et he r e me me d i e so fc e r t i o r a r ia ndma ma nd amus ?

HELD:

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YES,o nt hea v ai l abi l i t yo fc e r t i o r ar i .NO,o nt hea v ai l abi l i t yo fmandamus .

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Ar t i c l eVI I I ,Se c t i o n1pr o v i de st hatt hej udi c i alpo we ri sv e s t e di no ne Sup r e meCo ur ta ndi ns uc hl o we rc o ur t sa sma ma yb ee s t a bl i s he db yl a w. Judi c i alpo we ri nc l ude st hedut yo ft hec o ur t so fj us t i c et os e t t l eac t ual c o nt r o v e r s i e si nv o l v i ngr i g ht swhi c har el e g al l yde ma mandabl eande nf o r c e a bl e , andt ode t e r mi newhe t he ro rno tt he r ehasb e e nag r a v eab us eo fdi s c r e t i o n amo unt i ngt ol ac ko re x c e s so fj ur i s di c t i o no nt hep ar to fanybr anc ho r i ns t r u me me nt al i t yo ft heGo v e r n me me nt .

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I nt hi sc a s e ,Ja r de l e z ac r i e st ha ta l t ho ug hhee ar ne daq ua l i f y i ngnumb e ro f v o t e si nt heJ BC,i twa sne g at e db yt hei nv o c a t i o no ft he“ una ni mi t yr ul e ”o n i nt e gr i t yi nv i o l at i o no fhi sr i ghtt oduepr o c e s sg uar a nt e e dno to nl ybyt he Co ns t i t ut i o nbutb yt heCo unc i l ’ so wnr ul e s .Fo rs a i dr e a s o n,t heCo ur ti so f t hepo s i t i o nt hati tc a ne x e r c i s et hee xpande dj udi c i alpo we ro fr e v i e wv e s t e d upo ni tb yt h e19 87Co ns t i t ut i o n.

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I thasbe enj udi c i al l ys e t t l e dt hatape t i t i onf orc e r t i o r a r ii saproper

reme medyt oques t i ont heactofanybranchori ns t rument al i t yoft he governme mentont hegroundofgraveabus eofdi s cr et i onamo mount i ngt o l ac kore xc es so fj ur i s di c t i on b yanybr a nc ho ri ns t r ume nt al i t yo ft he go v er nme nt ,e v eni ft hel at t e rdo e sno te x e r c i s ej udi c i al ,quas i j udi c i alo r mi ni s t e r i alf unc t i o ns . •

I nac a s el i ket hi s , whe r ec o ns t i t ut i o nalbe ar i ng sar et o obl at antt oi gno r e ,t he Co ur tdo e sno tfindpa s s i v i t yasa na l t e r n at i v e .Thei mp as s emu mus tb e o v e r c o me me .

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Mandamus ,o nt heo t he rh and,l i e st oc o mpe lt hepe r f o r ma ma nc e ,whe n r e f us e d,o fami ni s t e r i aldut y , butno tt oc o mp mpe lt hepe r f o r ma manc eo fa di s c r e t i o nar ydut y . Mandamuswi l lno ti s s uet oc o nt r o lo rr e v i e wt hee x e r c i s e o fd i s c r e t i o no fapub l i co ffic ffic e rwhe r et hel a wi mp o s e sup o ns a i dpub l i co ffic ffic e r t her i g htanddut yt oe x e r c i s ehi sj udg me me nti nr e f e r e n c et oan ymat t e ri n whi c hhei sr e qui r e dt oac t .I ti shi sj udg me me ntt hati st obee x e r c i s e dandno t t ha to ft hec o ur t .The r ei snoque s t i o nt ha tt heJBC’ sd ut yt ono mi mi na t ei s di s c r e t i o na r yandi tma yno tb ec o mp mpe l l e dt odos o me me t hi ng .

G. R.No. 213181. Augus t19,2014. * FRANCI SH. H.J ARDELEZA,pe t i t i o ne r ,v s . CHI HI EFJUSTI CE MARI A LOURDESP. A. SERENO, THE JUDI CI AL AND BAR COUNCI L and EXECUTI VE SECRETARYPAQU QUI TO N.OCHOA,JR. ,r e s po nde nt s . Co ns t i t ut i o nalLa w;Judi c i aland BarCo unc i l ;Se c t i o n8 ,Ar t i c l eVI I Io ft he19 87 Co ns t i t ut i o n pr o v i de sf o rt hec r e a t i o no ft heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l( JBC) .The Supr e meCo ur t( SC)wa sg i v e ns upe r v i s o r yaut ho r i t yo v e ri t. —Se c t i o n8,Ar t i c l eVI I I o ft he19 87Co ns t i t ut i o npr o v i de sf o rt hec r e a t i o no ft heJBC.TheCo ur twa sgi v e n s upe r v i s o r ya ut ho r i t yo v e ri t .Se c t i o n8r e a ds : Se c t i o n8 .AJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l

hes uper vi s i onoft heSupr eme meCourt i she r e b yc r e a t e dundert c o mp mp o s e do ft he Chi e fJ us t i c ea e s xo ffic i o Cha i r ma man,t heSe c r e t a r yo fJ us t i c e ,a ndar e p r e s e nt a t i v e oft heCongr es sas e e xo ffic i oMe mb mb e r s ,a r e p r e s e nt a t i v eo ft heI nt e g r a t e dBa r ,a p r o f e s s o ro fl a w,ar e t i r e dMe mb mb e ro ft heSup r e me meCo u r t ,a ndar e p r e s e nt a t i v eo f t hepr i v at es ec t o r . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ * EN BANC.

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SUPREME COURT REPORTS ANNOTATED


Same ;Same ;Supe r v i s i o n;Supe r v i s i o ni st hepo we ro fo v e r s i g ht ,o rt heaut ho r i t yt o s e et hats ubo r di nat eo ffic e r s pe r f o r m t he i r dut i e s. —As a meani ngf ulgui depo s t , j ur i s pr ude nc epr o v i de st hede fini t i o n ands c o peo fs upe r v i s i o n.I ti st hepo we ro f o v e r s i g ht ,o rt hea ut ho r i t yt os e et ha ts ub or di na t eo ffic ffic e r spe r f o r mt he i rdut i e s .I t e ns u r e st ha tt hel a wsandt her u l e sg o v e r ni ngt hec o n duc to fag o v e r nme nte nt i t y a r eo b s e r v e da nd c o mp mp l i e d wi t h.Sup e r v i s i ng o ffic ffic i a l ss e et oi tt ha tr ul e sa r e f o l l o we d ,b utt he yt he ms ms e l v e sdono tl a yd o wn s u c hr u l e s ,no rd ot he yha v et he di s c r e t i o nt omo mo di f yo rr e pl a c et he m. m.I ft her ul e sar eno to bs e r v e d,t he yma ma yo r d e r t hewo r kd o neo rr e d o ne ,b uto nl yt oc o nf o r mt os uc hr u l e s .The yma ma yno tpr e s c r i b e t he i ro wn ma nne ro fe x e c ut i o no ft hea c t .The yha v enod i s c r e t i o no nt hi sma ma t t e r e x c e ptt os e et oi tt hatt her ul e sar ef o l l o we d. Re me di alLaw;Spe c i alCi v i lAc t i o ns ;Mandamus ;Mandamusl i e st oc o mpe lt he pe r f o r manc e ,whe nr e f us e d,o fami ni s t e r i aldut y ,butno tt oc o mpe lt hepe r f o r manc e o fadi s c r e t i o nar ydut y ;The r ei snoq ue s t i o nt hatt heJudi c i aland BarCo unc i l ’ s ( JBC’ s )d ut yt o no mi mi na t ei s di s c r e t i o n ar ya nd i tma ma y no tb ec o mp mp e l l e dt o do s o me t hi ng. —The Co ur tag r e e swi wi t ht he JBC t hata wr i to f mandamus i sno t a v ai l abl e Ma . ndamus l i e st oc o mp mpe lt hepe r f o r ma ma nc e , whe nr e f us e d ,o fami ni s t e r i al Ma M dut y ,b utno tt oc o mp mpe lt hepe r f o r ma ma nc eo fadi s c r e t i o na r ydut y . andamus wi l lno t i s s uet oc o nt r o lo rr e v i e wt hee x er c i s eo fdi s c r e t i o no fapubl i co ffic ffic e rwhe r et hel a w i mp os e sup on s a i dp ub l i co ffic ffic e rt her i g hta nd d ut yt oe x e r c i s ehi sj ud g me me n ti n r e f e r e nc et oanyma t t e ri nwhi c hhei sr e q ui r e dt oac t .I ti shi sj udg me me ntt hati st o b ee x e r c i s e da ndno tt ha to ft hec o ur t .The r ei snoque s t i o nt ha tt heJ BC’ sdut yt o no mi mi na t ei sd i s c r e t i o na r yandi tma yno tb ec o mp mp e l l e dt odos o me me t hi ng . Same ;Same ;Ce r t i o r a r i ;Unde rSe c t i o n1o fRul e6 5,awr i to fc e r t i o r a r ii sdi r e c t e d ag ai ns tat r i bunale x e r c i s i ngj udi c i alo rq uas i j udi c i alf unc t i o n. n. —Re s po ndentJBC o ppo s e dt hepe t i t i o nf o rc rc e r t i o r ar i o nt hegr o undt hati td o e sno te x e r c i s ej udi c i alo r q uas i j udi c i alf unc t i o ns .Unde rSe c t i o n1o fRul e65,awr i to fc fc e r t i o r ar i i sdi r e c t e d ag ai ns tat r i bunale x er c i s i ngj udi c i alo rquas i j udi c i alf unc t i o n.“ Judi c i alf unc t i o ns a r ee x e r c i s e db yab o dyo ro ffi ffic c e rc l o t he dwi t ha ut ho r i t yt ode t e r mi mi newha tt hel a w

i sa nd wha tt he l e g a lr i g ht so ft he p ar t i e sa r ewi t hr e s p e c tt ot he ma t t e ri n c o nt r o v e r s y .Quas i j udi c i alf unc t i o ni sat e r mt hata ppl i e st ot heac t i o no rdi s c r e t i o n o fpubl i ca dmi ni s t r a t i v eo ffic ffic e r so rb o di e sg i v e nt heaut ho r i t yt oi nv e s -

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t i g at ef ac t soras c e r t ai nt hee x i s t e nc eo ff ac t s ,ho l dhe ar i ng s ,anddr a wc o nc l us i o ns f r o mt he m asabas i sf o rt he i ro ffic i alac t i o nus i ngdi s c r e t i o no faj udi c i alnat ur e . ”I t a s s e r t st hati nt hepe r f o r ma nc eo fi t sf unc t i o no fr e c o mme ndi ngappo i nt e e sf o rt he j udi c i ar y ,t heJBC do e sno te x e r c i s ej udi c i alo rq uas i j udi c i alf unc t i o ns .He nc e ,t he r e s o r tt os uc hr e me dyt oq ue s t i o ni t sa c t i o nsi si mpr o p er . Same ;Same ;Same ;I th asbe e nj udi c i al l ys e t t l e dt hatape t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r a r ii sa pr o pe rr e me dyt oq ue s t i o nt heac to fanybr anc ho ri ns t r ume nt al i t yo ft heg o v e r nme nt o nt heg r o undo fg r a veabus eo fdi s c r e t i o namo unt i ngt ol ac ko re x c e s so fj ur i s di c t i o n b y an yb r a nc ho ri ns t r ume nt a l i t yo ft hego v e r n me nt ,e v e ni ft hel a t t e rdo e sno t e x e r c i s ej udi c i al ,q uas i j udi c i alo r mi ni s t e r i alf unc t i o ns. —I tha sb e e nj ud i c i a l l y s e t t l e dt hatape t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar ii sap r o p e rr e me d yt oq ue s t i o nt hea c to fa ny br anc h ori ns t r ument al i t y oft he go ve r nmenton t he gr ound ofgr aveabus e of di s c r e t i on amount i ng t o l ac k or e xc es s of j ur i s di c t i on by any br anc h or i ns t r ume nt a l i t yo ft he g o v e r nme nt ,e v e ni ft hel at t e rdo e sno te x e r c i s ej udi c i al , q uas i j udi c i alo r mi ni s t e r i alf unc t i o ns.I n ac a s el i ke t hi s ,whe r ec o n s t i t ut i o na l b e a r i ng sa r et o ob l a t a ntt oi g no r e ,t he Co u r td o e s no tfind p a s s i v i t ya sa n al t e r nat i v e .Thei mpas s e mus tbeo ve r c ome. Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;Judg e s ;TheJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l( JBC)hasbe e n t as k e dt os c r e e nas p i r i ngj udg e sa ndj us t i c e s ,amo ngo t he r s ,maki ngc e r t ai nt hatt he no mi ne e ss ub mi t t e dt ot he Pr e s i de nt a r ea l lqua l i fie da nd s ui t a bl yb e s tf o r appoi nt me nt . —The p ur p o s eo ft he J BC’ se x i s t e nc ei si nd ub i t a bl yr o o t e di nt he c a t e g o r i c a lc o n s t i t ut i o na ld e c l a r a t i o nt ha t“ [ a ]me mb e ro ft hej udi c i a r ymus tb ea pe r s o no fpr o v e nc o mpe t e nc e ,i nt e gr i t y ,pr o b i t y ,a ndi nde pe nde nc e . ”Toe ns ur et he f ul fil l me nto ft he s es t a nd ar d si ne v e r yme mb e ro ft heJud i c i a r y ,t heJBC ha sbe e n t as k e dt os c r e e na s pi r i ngj udg e sandj us t i c e s ,a mo ngo t he r s ,maki ngc e r t a i nt ha tt he no mi ne e ss ub mi t t e dt ot he Pr e s i d e ntar ea l lqua l i fie da nd s ui t a b l yb e s tf o r a pp o i nt me nt .I nt hi s wa y ,t he a pp o i nt i ng p r o c e s si t s e l fi ss h i e l d e df r o m t he po s s i bi l i t yofe x t e ndi ngj udi c i a la ppo i nt me ntt ot heunde s e r v i nga ndme di o c r eand, mo r ei mpo r t ant l y , t ot hei ne l i g i bl eo rdi s qual i fie d.

Same ;Same ;TheJudi c i aland BarCo unc i l( JBC)ma ye v e nc o n duc ta di s c r e e t b ac k gr o undc he c kandr e c e i v ef e e dbac kf r o mt hepub l i co nt hei nt e g r i t y ,r e p ut at i o n andc har ac t e ro ft hea ppl i c a nt ,t heme r i t so fwhi c hs hal lbev e r i fie dandc he c ke d. —As di s c l o s e dbyt he

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g ui de l i ne sandl i s t so fr e c o g ni z e de v i de nc eo fq ual i fic a t i o nl a i ddo wn i nJ BC0 09, “ i nt e gr i t y ”i sc l o s e l yr e l at e dt o ,o ri fno t ,appr o x i mat e l ye quat e dt oan appl i c a nt ’ s g oo dr e put at i o nf o rho ne s t y ,i nc o r r upt i bi l i t y ,i r r e pr o ac habl ec o nduc t ,andfide l i t yt o s ound mor al and e t hi c al s t andar ds.Tha ti s wh yp r o o fo fan a pp l i c a nt ’ s r eput at i on may be s ho wn i n c er t i fic at i ons or t es t i moni al sf r om r eput abl e g o v e r nme n to ffic i a l sandno n g o v er nme n t a lo r g a ni z a t i o n sa ndc l e a r a nc e sf r o mt he c o ur t s ,Nat i o nalBur e a uo fI nv e s t i g at i o n,andt hepo l i c e ,amo ngo t he r s .I nf ac t ,t he J BC ma ye v e nc o n duc tad i s c r e e tb a c k g ro undc he c ka ndr e c e i v ef e e d ba c kf r o mt he publ i con t hei nt e gr i t y ,r e p ut at i o na nd c ha r a c t e ro ft hea ppl i c a nt ,t heme r i t so f whi c hs ha l lb ev e r i fie da ndc he c ke d.Asaq ua l i fic a t i o n,t het e r mi st a ke nt or e f e rt o avi r t ue ,s uc ht hat ,“ i nt e gr i t yi st hequal i t yo fp er s o n’ sc har a c t e r . ” Sa me ;Sa me ;Una ni mi t yRul e ;The“ una ni mi t yr ul e ”o nl yc o me si nt oo p e r a t i o nwhe n t hemo r alc har ac t e ro fape r s o ni sputi ni s s ue .I tfi ndsnoa ppl i c at i o n whe r et he q ue s t i o ni se s s e nt i al l yunr e l at e dt oanappl i c ant ’ smo r alupr i g ht ne s s. —Do e sRul e2, Se c t i o n1 0o fJ BC0 0 9,i ni mp o s i ngt he“ una ni mi t yr ul e , ”c o nt e mp l a t ead o ub to n t hemo r a lc har a c t e ro fa nappl i c a nt ?Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJBC00 9pr o v i de s : SEC.2 . Vo t e sr e q ui r e dwhe ni nt e g r i t yofaq ual i fie dappl i c a nti sc hal l e ng e d. —I ne v e r yc a s e whe r et hei nt e gr i t yo fana ppl i c a ntwhoi sno to t he r wi s edi s q ua l i fie df o rno mi na t i o n i sr a i s e do rc ha l l e ng e d,t heaffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa l lt heMe mb e r so ft heCo unc i lmus t b eo bt a i ne df o rt hef a v o r a bl ec o n s i de r a t i o no fhi sno mi na t i o n.A s i mpl er e a di ngo f t heabo v epr o v i s i o nundo ubt e dl ye l i c i t st her ul et hatahi g he rv o t i ngr e qui r e me nti s a bs o l ut ei nc a s e swhe r et hei nt e g r i t yo fa na pp l i c a nti sque s t i o ne d .Si mp l yput , whe nani nt e gr i t yque s t i o nar i s e s ,t hev o t i ngr e qui r e me ntf o rhi so rh eri nc l us i o nas ano mi ne et oaj ud i c i a lp o s tb e c o me s“ una ni mo us ”i ns t e a do ft he“ ma j o r i t yv o t e ” r e q ui r e di nt he p r e c e d i ng s e c t i o n.Co ns i d e r i ng t ha tJBC0 0 9e mp l o y st he t e r m “ i nt e gr i t y ”asane s s e nt i alq ual i fic a t i o nf o rappo i nt me nt ,andi t sdo ubt f ule x i s t e nc e i nape r s o nme r i t sahi g he rhur dl et os ur p as s ,t ha ti s ,t heunani mo usv o t eo fal lt he me mbe r soft heJBC,t heCo ur ti so ft hes af ec o nc l us i o nt hat“ i nt e gr i t y”asus e di n t her u l e smus tb ei nt e r p r e t e d uni f o r ml y .He nc e ,Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 e nv i s i o nso nl yas i t uat i o nwhe r eanappl i c a nt ’ smo r alfit ne s si sc hal l e ng ed.I tf o l l o ws

t he nt ha tt he“ una ni mi t yr ul e ”o nl yc o me si nt oo p e r a t i o nwhe nt hemo r a lc ha r a c t e r o fape r s o ni sputi ni s s ue .I tfindsnoappl i c a t i o nwhe r et heque s t i o ni se s s e nt i al l y unr e l at e dt oana ppl i c a nt ’ smo r alupr i g ht ne s s .

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At t o r ne y s ;A l awy e rhasc o mpl e t edi s c r e t i o no n whatl e g als t r at e g yt oe mpl o yi na c a s ee nt r us t e dt ohi m pr o v i de dt hathel i v e supt ohi sdut yt os e r v ehi sc l i e ntwi t h c o mpe t e nc eanddi l i g e nc e ,andt hathee x e r thi sbe s te ffo r t st opr o t e c tt hei nt e r e s t so f hi sc l i e ntwi t hi nt heb oundso ft hel aw. —Ve r i l y ,di s ag r e e me nti nl e g alo pi ni o ni sb ut a no r ma l ,i fno ta ne s s e n t i a lf o r m o f ,i nt e r a c t i o na mo n g me mb e r so ft he l e g a l c o mmuni t y .A l a wy e rha sc o mpl e t edi s c r e t i o no nwha tl e g a ls t r a t e g yt oe mp l o yi na c a s ee nt r us t e dt ohi m pr o v i de dt ha thel i v e supt ohi sdut yt os e r v ehi sc l i e ntwi t h c o mpe t e nc ea nddi l i g e nc e ,andt hathee x e r thi sb es te ffo r t st opr o t e c tt hei nt e r e s t s o fhi sc l i e ntwi t hi nt hebo undso ft hel a w.Co ns o na nt l y ,al a wy e ri sno tani ns ur e ro f v i c t o r yf o rc l i e nt s he r e p r e s e n t s .An i nf al l i b l eg r a s po fl e g alpr i nc i pl e sa nd t e c hni q ue b yal a wy e ri sa ut o p i a ni d e al .St r i p pe do fa c l e a rs h o wi ng o fg r o s s ne g l e c t ,i ni q ui t y ,o ri mmo r a lp ur p o s e ,as t r a t e g yo fal e g a lmi ndr e ma i nsal e g al t ac t i cac c e p t a bl et os o mea ndde pl o r a b l et oo t he r s .I tha snodi r e c tb e ar i ngo nhi s mo r a lc ho i c e s . Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;Judg e s ;Unani mi t yRul e ;Tof al lunde rSe c t i o n2,Rul e10 ofJudi c i aland Bar Counc i l( JBC) 009,t he r emus tbea s ho wi ng t hatt heac t c o mpl ai ne do fi s ,att hel e a s t ,l i nke dt ot hemo r a lc har a c t e ro ft hepe r s o nandno tt o hi sj udg me nta sa p r o f e s s i o na l. —The Co urtnot e st he z e als hown by t he Chi e f J us t i c er e g a r d i ngi nt e r na t i o na lc a s e s ,g i v e nhe rpa r t i c i pa t i o ni nt hePI ATCO c a s e a nd t he Be l g i a n Dr e d g i ng c a s e .He re ffo r t si nt he d e t e r mi na t i o no fJ ar d e l e z a ’ s pr of es s i onal bac kgr ound, whi l e c ommendabl e, have no t pr oduc ed a pat ent de mo ns t r a t i o no fac o nne c t i o nb e t we e nt heac tc o mpl a i ne do fa ndhi si nt e g r i t ya sa pe r s o n.No ne t he l e s s ,t heCo ur tc a nno tc o n s i de rhe ri nv o c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2,Rul e10 o fJ BC0 09 a sc o nf o r ma bl y wi t hi nt he c o nt e mp l a t i o no ft he r u l e .To f a l lund e r Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 ,t he r emus tb eas h o wi ngt ha tt hea c tc o mp l a i ne do f i s ,a tt hel e as t ,l i nke dt ot h emo r alc ha r a c t e ro ft hepe r s o nandno tt ohi sj udg me nt asapr o f e s s i o nal .Whatt hi sdi s po s i t i o npe r c e i v es ,t he r e f o r e ,i st hei nappl i c a bi l i t yo f Se c t i o n2,Rul e10o fJBC009t ot heo r i g i nalgr o undo fi t si nv o c a t i o n.

At t o r ne y s ;Le g alEt hi c s ;Judg e s ;I mmo r al i t y ;A l awy e rwhoe ng ag e si ne x t r amar i t al affai r si sde e me dt oha v ef ai l e dt oadhe r et ot hee x ac t i ngs t andar dso fmo r al i t yand de c e n c ywhi c he v e r yme mbe ro ft heJudi c i ar yi se x p e c t e dt oo b s e r v e .I nf ac t ,e v e n r e l at i o ns hi pswhi c h hav ene v e rg onephy s i c a lo ri nt i mat ec o ul ds t i l lbes ubj e c tt o c har g e so fi mmo r al i t y , whe nal a wy e r ,whoi smar r i e d,admi t st o

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havi ng a r e l at i o ns hi p whi c h was mo r e t han pr o f e s s i o nal , mo r e t han ac q uai nt anc e s h i p,mo r et hanf r i e ndl y. —Unl i k et hefir s tg r o undwhi c hc e n t e r e do n J ar d e l e z a ’ ss t a nc eo nt het a c t i c a lappr o a c hi npur s ui ngt h ec a s ef o rt hego v e r n me nt , t hec l ai mso fa ni l l i c i tr e l at i o ns hi pandac t so fi ns i de rt r a di ngbe arac a ndi dr e l at i o n t o hi s mo r a lc ha r a c t e r .J ur i s p r u de nc ei sr e p l e t e wi t hc a s e s whe r ea l a wy e r ’ s de l i b e r a t epa r t i c i pa t i o ni ne x t r a mar i t ala ffa i r swa sc o n s i de r e d asa di s g r a c e f ul s t a i no no ne ’ se t hi c a la ndmo r a lp r i nc i pl e s .Theb o t t o ml i nei st ha tal a wy e rwho e ng ag e si ne x t r a ma r i t a la ffa i r si sde e me dt oha v ef ai l e dt oadhe r et ot hee x ac t i ng s t a nda r d so fmo r a l i t yandde c e nc ywhi c he v e r yme mb e ro ft heJ udi c i a r yi se x pe c t e d t oo b s e r v e .I nf a c t ,e v e nr e l a t i o ns hi pswhi c hha v ene v e rg o nephy s i c a lo ri nt i mat e c o ul ds t i l lb es u bj e c tt oc ha r g e so fi mmo r a l i t y ,whe n al a wy e r ,whoi sma r r i e d , a dmi t st o ha v i ng a r e l a t i o n s h i p whi c h wa s mo r et ha np r o f e s s i o n al ,mo r et ha n a c q ua i nt a nc e s hi p ,mo r et ha nf r i e nd l y .Ast heCo ur tha she l d :I mmo r a l i t yha sno t b e enc o n fine dt os e x ua lma t t e r s ,b uti nc l ude sc o nduc ti nc o n s i s t e ntwi t hr e c t i t ude ,o r i ndi c a t i v eo fc o r r up t i o n,i nde c e nc y ,d epr a v i t y and di s s o l ut e ne s s ;o ri s wi l l f ul , flag r a nt ,o rs ha me l e s sc o nduc ts ho wi ngmo r a li ndi ffe r e nc et oo p i ni o nso fr e s pe c t a bl e member soft hec ommuni t yandan i nc onsi der at eat t i t udet o war dgoo dor derand publ i cwe l f a r e .Mo r a lc har ac t e ri sno tas ub j e c t i v et e r mb uto n et ha tc o r r e s po ndst o o b j e c t i v er e a l i t y .Toha v eag o o dmo r a lc ha r a c t e r ,ap e r s o nmus th av et hep e r s o na l c ha r a c t e r i s t i co fb ei ngg o o d.I ti sno te no ug ht ha theo rs heha sag o o dr e p ut a t i o n, t hati s , t heo pi ni o ng e ne r a l l ye nt e r t a i ne dab o utape r s o no rt hee s t i ma t ei nwhi c hhe o rs hei she l db yt hepub l i ci nt hepl a c ewhe r es hei skno wn.He nc e ,l a wy e r sa r ea t a l lt i me ss ub j e c tt ot hewa t c hf ulpub l i ce y ea ndc o mmuni t yappr o b a t i o n. Sa me ;Sa me ;Sa me ;I ns i de r Tr a di ng ;I ns i de rt r a di ng i n v o l v e st he t r a di ng o f s e c ur i t i e sbas e do nkno wl e dg eo fmat e r i ali nf o r mat i o nno tdi s c l o s e dt ot hepubl i cat t het i me . —I ns i de rt r a di ng i sa no ffe ns et ha tas s a ul t st he i nt e g r i t yo fo u rv i t a l s e c ur i t i e smar ke t .Mani pul at i v ede v i c e sandde c e p t i v epr a c t i c e s ,i nc l udi ngi ns i de r t r a di ng ,t hr o w a mo nk e y wr e nc hr i g hti nt ot hehe a r to ft hes e c ur i t i e si nd us t r y . Whe ns o me o net r a de si nt hema r k e twi t h unf a i ra d v a nt a g ei nt hef o r mo fhi g hl y v al uabl es e c r e ti ns i dei nf o r mat i o n,al lo t he rpar t i c i pant sar ede f r a ude d.Al lo ft he

me c ha ni s msb e c o mewo r t hl e s s . Gi v e ne no ug ho fs t o c kma r k e ts c a nd al sc o up l e dwi t h t her e l at e dl o s so ff a i t hi nt hema r k e t ,s uc ha bus e sc o ul dpr e s ag eas e v e r edr a i no f c a pi t al .Andi nv e s t o r swo ul de v e nt ual l yf e e lmo r es e c ur ewi t ht he i r

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mo ne yi nv e s t e de l s e whe r e .I ni t sbar e s te s s e nc e ,i ns i de rt r a di ngi nv o l v e st het r adi ng o fs e c ur i t i e sb as e do nkno wl e dg eofmat e r i ali nf o r mat i o nno tdi s c l o s e dt ot hepub l i c att het i me .Cl e ar l y ,an al l e g at i o no fi ns i de rt r adi ngi nv o l v e st hepr o p ens i t yo fa pe r s o nt oe ng ag ei nf r audul e ntac t i v i t i e st ha tma ys p e ako fhi smo r a lc ha r a c t e r . Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;TheJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l( JBC) ,asabo dy ,i sno t r e q ui r e db yl a wt oho l dhe a r i ng so nt heq ual i fic a t i o nso ft heno mi ne e s. —TheJBC,as ab o dy , i sno tr e q ui r e dbyl a wt oho l dhe a r i ng so nt hequal i fic a t i o nso ft heno mi ne e s . Thepr o c e s sb ywhi c ha no b j e c t i o ni sma deb as e do nSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09i s no tj udi c i al ,quas i j udi c i al ,o rf ac t findi ng,f o ri tdo e sno tai mt ode t e r mi neg ui l to r i nno c e nc ea ki nt oac r i mi na lo ra dmi ni s t r a t i v eo ffe ns eb utt oas c e r t ai nt hefit ne s so f i s àv i st s uig e ne r i s an appl i c antv he r e q ui r e me nt sf o rt he p o s i t i o n.Be i ng ,t he pr o c e e d i ng so ft heJ BC dono tc o nf e rt her i g ht si ns i s t e dup o nb yJa r d e l e z a .Hema y no te x ac tt heappl i c a t i o no fr ul e so fpr o c e dur ewhi c har e ,att hemo s t ,di s c r e t i o nar y o ro pt i o nal .Fi nal l y ,Jar d e l e z ar e f us e dt os he dl i g hto nt heo bj e c t i o nsag ai ns thi m. Dur i ngt heJune3 0,2 01 4me e t i ng ,hedi dno ta dd r e s st hei s s ue s ,b uti ns t e a dc ho s e t ot r e a do n hi sv i e wt ha tt heChi e fJ us t i c eha d unj us t i fia bl yb e c o mehi sac c us e r , pr o s e c ut o ra ndj udg e . At t o r ne y s ;I ti s we l l e s t abl i s he di nj ur i s pr ude nc et hatdi s c i pl i nar y pr o c e e di ng s ag ai ns tl a wy e r sar es u ig e ne r i si nt hatt he y ar ene i t he rpur e l yc i v i lno rpur e l y c r i mi nal ;t he yi nv o l v ei nv e s t i g at i o nsbyt heSupr e meCo ur t( SC)i nt ot hec o nduc to f o neo fi t so ffic e r s ,no tt het r i alo fanac t i o no ras ui t. —Thef a c tt ha tapr o c e e d i ngi s s uig e ne r i sa nd i si mp r e s s e d wi t hd i s c r e t i o n ,ho we v e r ,d o e s no taut o ma t i c a l l y de ni g r a t ea na ppl i c a nt ’ se nt i t l e me nt t o due pr o c e s s .I ti s we l l e s t a bl i s he di n j ur i s pr ude nc et hatdi s c i pl i nar ypr o c e e di ng sag ai ns tl a wy e r sar e s uig e ne r i s i nt ha t t he yar ene i t he rpur e l yc i v i lno rpur e l yc r i mi nal ;t he yi nv o l v ei nv e s t i g at i o nsbyt he Co ur ti nt ot hec o nd uc to fo neo fi t so ffic e r s ,no tt het r i a lo fa na c t i o no ra s u i t . He nc e ,i nt hee x e r c i s eo fi t sd i s c i pl i na r ypo we r s ,t heCo ur tme r e l yc a l l supo na me mb e ro ft heBa rt oa c c o untf o rh i sa c t ua t i o nsa sa no ffic e ro ft heCo ur twi t ht he e nd i nv i e wo fp r e s e r v i ngt hep ur i t yo ft hel e g a lp r o f e s s i o na nd t hep r o p e rand

ho ne s ta dmi ni s t r a t i o no fj us t i c eb ypur g i ngt hepr o f e s s i o no fme mb e r swho ,b yt he i r mi s c o n duc t ,ha v ep r o v e dt he ms e l v e sno l o n g e rwo r t h yt ob ee n t r us t e d wi t ht he dut i e sandr e s p o ns i bi l i t i e spe r t ai ni ngt ot heo ffic eo fanat t o r ne y .

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I ns u c hpo s t ur e ,t he r ec a nb enoo c c a s i o nt os p e ako fac o mp l a i na nto rapr o s e c ut o r . e r i f ya On t he who l e ,d i s c i p l i na r yp r o c e e d i ng sa r ea c t ua l l ya i me dt ov nd fina l l y de t e r mi ne ,i fa l a wy e rc har g e di ss t i l lq ual i fie dt ob e ne fi tf r o m t he r i g ht sand pr i v i l e g est hatme mbe r s hi pi nt hel e g alpr o f e s s i o ne v o ke . Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;Judg e s ;TheSupr e meCo ur t( SC) s ubs c r i be st ot hevi e w t hati nc a s e s whe r e an o b j e c t i o nt o an appl i c a nt ’ sq ual i fic a t i o ns i sr ai s e d,t he o bs e r v a nc eo fduepr o c e s sne i t he rne g at e sno rr e nde r si l l us o r yt hef ul fil l me nto ft he dut yo fJudi c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l( JBC)t or e c o mme nd. —No t wi t hs t a nd i ngb e i ng“ a c l a s so fi t so wn, ”t her i g htt ob ehe ar da ndt oe x pl a i no ne ’ ss e l fi sa v ai l i ng .The Co ur ts u bs c r i b e st ot hev i e wt ha ti nc a s e swhe r ea no b j e c t i o nt oa na ppl i c a nt ’ s q ua l i fic a t i o nsi sr a i s e d ,t heo bs e r v anc eo fduepr o c e s sne i t he rne g at e sno rr e nde r s i l l us o r yt hef ul fil l me nto ft hed ut yo fJ BC t or e c o mme nd .Thi sho l d i ngi sno ta n e nc r o ac h me nto ni t sdi s c r e t i o ni nt heno mi nat i o npr o c e s s .Ac t ual l y ,i t sa dhe r e nc et o t hepr e c e p t so fd uepr o c e s ss uppo r t sa nd e nr i c h e st hee x e r c i s eo fi t sdi s c r e t i o n. Whe na na pp l i c a nt ,whov e he me nt l yd e ni e st het r u t ho ft heo b j e c t i o ns ,i sa ffo r de d t hec ha nc et op r o t e s t ,t heJ BC i sp r e s e nt e dwi t h ac l e a r e rund e r s t a nd i ngo ft he s i t uat i on i tf ac es ,t her eb y guar di ng t he bo dy f r om maki ng an uns ound and c a pr i c i o usa s s e s s me nto fi nf o r ma t i o nb r o ug htb ef o r ei t .TheJBC i sno te x pe c t e dt o s t r i c t l ya ppl yt her ul e so fe v i de nc ei ni t sa s s e s s me nto fa no b j e c t i o na ga i ns ta n a ppl i c a nt .J us tt hes a me ,t ohe a rt hes i deo ft hepe r s o nc ha l l e ng e dc o mpl i e swi t ht he di c t at e so ff ai r ne s sf o rt heo nl yt e s tt hata ne x e r c i s eofdi s c r e t i o nmus ts ur mo unti s t ha to fs o u ndne s s . Sa me ;Sa me ;TheJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l( JBC)ha st hed i s c r e t i o nt oho l do rno t t oho l dahe a r i ngwhe nano bj e c t i o nt oanappl i c a nt ’ si nt e g r i t yi sr ai s e dandt hati t ma yr e s o r tt oo t he rme a nst oac c o mpl i s hi t so bj e c t i v e. —Theco nduc to fahear i ng unde rRul e4o fJ BC0 09i sp e r mi s s i v ea nd/ o rd i s c r e t i o na r yo nt hepa r to ft heJ BC. Ev e nt he c o n duc to fa he a r i ng t od e t e r mi ne t he v e r a c i t yo fa no p p o s i t i o ni s di s c r e t i o nar yf o rt he r ear ewa ys ,be s i de sahe ar i ng,t oas c e r t ai nt het r ut ho rf al s i t y o fal l e g at i o ns .Suc c i nc t l y ,t hi sar g ume nts ug ge s t st ha tt heJBChast hedi s c r e t i o nt o

ho l do rno tt oho l dahe ar i ngwhe nano bj e c t i o nt oanappl i c a nt ’ si nt e gr i t yi sr a i s e d a ndt ha ti tma yr e s o r tt oo t he rme a nst oac c o mpl i s hi t so b j e c t i v e .Ne v e r t he l e s s ,J BC adds ,“ wha ti smandat o r y ,ho we v e r ,i st hati ft heJBC,i ni t sdi s c r e t i o n,r e c e i v e sa t e s t i mo nyo fa no ppo s i t o ri nahe a r i ng ,

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dueno t i c es hal lbeg i v e nt ot heappl i c a ntandt hats hal lbeal l o we dt oc r o s s e x a mi ne t heo ppo s i t o r . ” Sa me ;Sa me ;An yc o mp l a i nto ro p po s i t i o na g ai ns tac a ndi da t ema yb efil e dwi t ht he Se c r e t ar ywi t hi nt e n( 1 0)da y sf r o m t hepub l i c a t i o no ft heno t i c eand a l i s to f c a n d i d a t e s . —Ast hr e s h e do utb e f o r e ha nd,duepr o c e s s ,a sac o ns t i t ut i o na lp r e c e p t , do e sno tal wa ysandi nal ls i t uat i o nsr e q ui r eat r i al t y pepr o c e e di ng .Duepr o c e s si s s at i s fied when a per s on i s not i fied oft he c harg e agai nsthi m and gi ve n an o p po r t uni t yt oe x pl a i no rd e f e ndhi ms e l f .Ev e na sJ ar de l e z awa sv e r b al l yi nf o r me d o ft hei n v o c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09a ga i ns thi ma ndwa sl a t e ra s k e d t oe x pl a i nhi ms e l fdur i ngt heme e t i ng ,t he s ec i r c ums t a nc e ss t i l lc a nno te x pung ean i mme ns ep e r p l e x i t yt ha tl i ng e r si nt hemi ndo ft heCo ur t .Wha ti st ob e c o meo ft he p r o c e d ur el a i dd o wni nJ BC0 1 0i ft hes a mewo ul db et r e a t e dwi t hi nd i ffe r e nc ea nd di s r e g ar d ?Tor e pe at ,a si t swo r d i ngpr o v i de s ,anyc o mpl ai nto ro ppo s i t i o nag ai ns ta c a ndi d at ema yb efil e dwi t ht heSe c r e t a r ywi t hi nt e n( 1 0)da y sf r o mt hepub l i c a t i o n o ft heno t i c eandal i s to fc a ndi dat e s .Sur e l y ,t hi sno t i c ei sal lt hemo r ec o ns pi c uo us e gume nt i t oJBCmember s .Gr ant i n g xar ,t hatt he10da ype r i o di so nl yappl i c a bl et o t hepub l i c ,e x c l udi ngt heJBC me mb e r st he ms e l v e s ,t hi sdo e sno tdi s c o untt hef a c t t ha tt hei n v o c a t i o no ft hefir s tgr o u nd i nt heJ une5 ,2 0 14 me e t i ngwo u l d ha v e r a i s e dpr o c e dur a li s s ue s .Tobef ai r ,s e v e r a lme mbe r so ft heCo unc i le x pr e s s e dt he i r c o nc e r na ndd e s i r et ohe a ro utJ a r d e l e z ab utt hea pp l i c a t i o no fJ BC0 10d i dno t f o r mp ar to ft hea g e nd at he n.I twa so nl ydur i ngt hene x tme e t i ngo nJ une1 6,2 01 4, t hatt heCo unc i lag r e e dt oi nv i t eJa r de l e z a ,b yt e l e pho ne ,t oame e t i ngt ha two ul d b ehe l do nt hes a med a ywhe nar e s o ur c ep e r s o nwo ul ds he dl i g hto nt hema t t e r . DuePr o c e s s ;I nc r i mi nalandadmi ni s t r at i v ec as e s ,t hev i o l at i o no fapar t y ’ sr i g htt o duepr o c e s sr a i s e sa s e r i o usj ur i s d i c t i o nali s s uewhi c hc a nno tb eg l o s s e do v e ro r di s r e g ar de datwi l l . —I nc r i mi nalandadmi ni s t r a t i v ec a s e s ,t hevi o l at i o no fapar t y ’ s r i g htt oduepr o c e s sr a i s e sa s e r i o usj ur i s d i c t i o na li s s uewhi c hc a nno tb eg l o s s e d o v e ro rd i s r e g a r d e da twi l l .Whe r et he d e ni a lo ft he f und ame nt a lr i g hto fd ue pr o c e s si sappar e nt ,ade c i s i o nr e nde r e di ndi s r e g ar doft hatr i ghti sv o i df o rl ac ko f

j ur i s di c t i o n.Thi sr ul ema ywe l lbeappl i e dt ot hec ur r e nts i t uat i o nf o rano ppo s i ng v i e ws ub mi t st oanunduer e l a xa t i o no ft heBi l lo fRi g ht s .Tot hi s ,t heCo ur ts ha l l no tc o nc e d e .Ast heb r a nc ho fg o v e r nme ntt a s ke dt og ua r a nt e et ha tt he

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pr o t e c t i o no fd uepr o c e s si sa v ai l a bl et oan i ndi v i dua li n pr o p e rc a s e s ,t heCo ur t findst hes ubj e c ts ho r tl i s tast ai nt e dwi t hav i c et hati ti sas s i g ne dt oguar dag ai ns t . I nd e e d ,t hei n v o c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 0 9 mus tb ede e me dt oha v e ne v e rc o me i nt oo p e r a t i o ni nl i g hto fi t se r r o ne o us a ppl i c a t i o no nt he o r i g i na l g r o und ag ai ns tJ ar de l e z a ’ si nt e g r i t y .Att he r i s ko fb e i ng r e p e t i t i v e ,t he Co ur t upho l dst heJBC’ sdi s c r e t i o ni nt hes e l e c t i o no fno mi ne e s ,buti t sappl i c a t i o no ft he “ una ni mi t yr ul e ”mus tb ea ppl i e di nc o nj unc t i o nwi t hSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 10 b e i ngi nv o ke db yJ ar de l e z a .Ha v i ngb ee na bl et os e c ur ef o ur( 4 )o u to fs i x( 6)v o t e s , t heo nl yc o nc l us i o nl e f tt opr o p o undi st ha tama j o r i t yo ft heme mb e r so ft heJBC, no ne t he l e s s ,f o undJar d e l e z at obequal i fie df o rt hepo s i t i o no fAs s o c i at eJus t i c eand t hi sgr a nt shi m ar i g ht f uls po ti nt hes ho r tl i s ts ub mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de nt . Le o na r d o DeCa s t r o , J. ,Co nc ur r i ngOp i ni o n: Re me di alLaw;Spe c i alCi v i lAc t i o ns ;Ce r t i o r ar i ;Vi e wt hatwhi l eIma yag r e ewi t h t he Judi c i aland Bar Counc i l ’ s( JBC’ s )pr opos i t i on t hatmandamus c annotbe av ai l e do ft oc o mpe lt hepe r f o r manc eo fadi s c r e t i o nar yac t ,i ti sal r e a dys e t t l e dt hata pe t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar ii sno ne t he l e s sapr o pe rr e me dyt oq ue s t i o n,o nt hegr o undo f gr av eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o n,t heac to fanybr anc ho ri ns t r ume nt al i t yo fgo v e r nme nt , r e g a r dl e s so ft he nat ur eo fi t sf unc t i o ns. —Whi l e Ima y agr e e wi t ht he JBC’ s pr o p o s i t i o nt ha tmandamusc a nno tb ea v a i l e do ft oc o mp e lt hep e r f o r ma nc eo fa di s c r e t i o nar yac t ,i ti sal r e adys e t t l e dt hatape t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar ii sno ne t he l e s sa pr o p e rr e me dyt oque s t i o n,o nt hegr o u ndo fg r a v eab us eo fdi s c r e t i o n,t heac to fa ny b r a nc ho ri ns t r ume nt a l i t yo fg o v e r nme nt ,r e g a r d l e s so ft hena t u r eo fi t sf unc t i o ns . Themo s tr e c e nta r t i c u l a t i o no ft hi sdo c t r i nec a nb ef o undi n Ar aul l ov .Aq ui noI I I , 7 2 8SCRA 1( 2 0 14 ) ,whe r ewehe l d :[ T] her e me d i e so fc e r t i o r ar ia ndpr o h i b i t i o nar e e r t i o r ar io ne c e s s a r i l yb r o ade ri ns c o peandr e a c h ,a ndt hewr i to fc rp r o hi bi t i o nma y b ei s s ue dt oc o r r e c te r r o r so fj ur i s d i c t i o nc o mmi t t e d no to nl yb yat r i b una l , c o r po r a t i o n,bo ar do ro ffic e re x e r c i s i ng j udi c i a l ,qua s i j udi c i al o r mi ni s t e r i a l f unc t i o nsb utal s ot os e tr i ght ,undoandr e s t r a i nanyac to fgr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o n a mo unt i ngt ol a c ko re x c e s so fj ur i s d i c t i o nb ya nyb r a nc ho ri ns t r ume nt a l i t yo ft he

e e ni ft hel at t e rdo e sno te x e r c i s ej udi c i al ,q uas i j udi c i alo rmi ni s t e r i al Go ve r nment ,v f unc t i o ns .Thi sa pp l i c a t i o ni se x p r e s s l ya ut ho r i z e db yt he t e x to ft he s e c o nd par a gr a pho fSe c t i o n1[ Ar t i c l eVI I Io ft heCo ns t i t ut i o n] .

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Judi c i aland Bar Co unc i l ;Vi e w t hatt he Judi c i aland Bar Co unc i l ’ s( JBC’ s ) f unc t i o nsar eno tj udi c i als uc ht hataf o r mal ,t r i al t y peo fhe ar i ngwo ul dbeno tbe r e q ui r e di nt he di s c har g eo fi t sdut i e s. —Iam wi l l i ng t o gr ant t hat t he JBC’ s f unc t i o nsar eno tj udi c i als uc ht hataf o r ma l ,t r i a l t y peofhe ar i ngwo ul dbeno tbe r e q ui r e di nt hedi s c har g eo fi t sd ut i e s .Ho we v e r ,e v e ni nadmi ni s t r a t i v eo rno nf o r mal t y pe so fp r o c e e d i ng s ,t he r ea r emi ni mum r e q ui r e me nt st ha tmus tb eme tt opr o t e c t t heduepr o c e s sr i g ht so ft hepe r s o nss ubj e c t e dt oani nv e s t i g at i o n,o ri nt hi sc a s e , a ni nq ui r yi nt ot he i rq ua l i fic a t i o ns f o rj ud i c i a lo ffic e .We ha v e he l dt ha t“ i n a dmi ni s t r a t i v ep r o c e e d i ng s ,t he fil i ng of charges and gi vi ng r eas onabl e ag ai ns t opport uni t yf ort he per s on s o charg ed t o ans wert he accusat i ons hi m c ons t i t ut et he mi ni mum r equi r ement sofdue pr oc es s . ”TheCourthasal s o pr e v i o us l ys t a t e dt hat“ t heo bs e r v anc eo ff ai r ne s si nt hec o nduc to fanyi nv es t i g at i o n i satt hev er yhe ar to fpr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s s . ” Sa me ;Judg e s ;Co ns t i t ut i o na lLa w;Vi e wt ha ta sma nda t e db yt heCo ns t i t ut i o n,a Me mbe ro ft heSupr e meCo ur t( SC)mus tb eanat ur a l bo r nFi l i pi no ,atl e a s tf o r t y ( 40 )y e ar so fag e , andmus tha v ebe e nf o rfif t e e n( 1 5)y e ar so rmo r eaj udg eo fal o we r c o ur to re ng ag e di nt hepr ac t i c eo fl aw i nt hePhi l i ppi ne s. —Asmandat e d byt he Co ns t i t ut i o n,aMe mb e ro ft heSup r e meCo ur tmus tb eana t ur a l b o r nFi l i p i no ,a t l e a s tf o r t yy e a r so fa ge ,a ndmus tha v ebe e nf o rfif t e e ny e a r so rmo r eaj udg eo fa l o we rc o ur to re ng ag e di nt hepr a c t i c eo fl a wi nt hePhi l i ppi ne s .I naddi t i o nt ot he s e b a s i cq ua l i fic a t i o n s ,a l lme mb e r so ft he J ud i c i a r y mus tb ep e r s o n so fp r o v e n c o mp e t e nc e ,i nt e g r i t y ,p r o b i t y ,a nd i nd e pe nd e nc e .I no r d e rt oe ns u r et ha ta c a ndi dat et oaj udi c i alpo s i t i o nhast hef o r e g o i ngqual i fic a t i o ns ,t heJ BC s e tf o r t h t hee v i de nc et ha ti tma yr e c e i v ef o re a c ht y peo fq ua l i fic a t i o n.Rul e3o fJ BC0 09 d e a l swi t hho wt heJBC s ha l ld e t e r mi net hec o mp e t e n c eo fa p pl i c a nt si nt e r mso f e d uc a t i o n,e x p e r i e nc ea ndpe r f o r ma nc e .Rul e4o fJ BC0 09i nv o l v e sg ui d e l i ne so n e v a l uat i ngana ppl i c a nt ’ si nt e gr i t y .Rul e5a ndRul e6o fJ BC0 09pr o v i def o rpr o o f t ha tma yb ec o ns i de r e df o rd e mo ns t r a t i nga na ppl i c a nt ’ spr o b i t y / i nde pe nde nc eand hi so rhe rs o undne s so fphy s i c a l ,me nt al ,a nde mo t i o nalc o n di t i o n.

Sa me ;Sa me ;Vi e wt ha tunde rSe c t i o n1 ,Rul e7ofJudi c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l( JBC) 0 09 ,t heJBCEnBanco ran ypa ne lo fi t sme mb e r ss ha l lc o nduc tpe r s o nali nt e r v i e ws o fc andi dat e sf o rpo s i t i o nsi n

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t heJudi c i a r yandc e r t a i np o s i t i o nsi nt heOffic eo ft heOmb uds ma n.I nt hec a s eo f po s i t i o nsi nt heSupr e meCo ur t( SC) ,t heCo ur to fAppe al s( CA) ,t heSandi g anbay an, a ndt heOmb uds ma n,t hei nt e r v i e wss ha l lb ec o nduc t e di np ub l i c. —UnderSec t i on1,

hal lconduct Rul e7ofJBC009,t heJBC EnBanc o ra n ypa ne lo fi t sme mb e r ss pers onali nt ervi ews o fc a ndi dat e sf o r po s i t i o ns i nt he J udi c i a r y and c e r t a i n p o s i t i o n si nt heOffic eo ft heOmb ud s ma n.I nt hec a s eo fp o s i t i o n si nt heSup r e me Cour t ,t he Cour t of Appeal s ,t he Sandi ganbay an,and t he Ombud s man,t he

n publ i c.I r ans pare ncyand i nt e r v i e wss ha l lb ec o nduc t e di no r d e rt opr o mo t et publ i caware nes s o fJ BC pr o c e e d i ng si nr e l a t i o nt oi t sf unc t i o no fr e c o mme nd i ng appoi nt ee st ot he Judi c i ar y and t ot he pos i t i ons ofOmbuds man and Deput y Ombudsmanandpur s uantt oSec t i on1,Rul e7ofJBC009,t heJBC i s s uedJBC10 whi c hc o n t a i nt he p r o c e d ur ef o rs ub mi s s i o na nd e v a l ua t i o no fc o mp l a i nt so r o ppo s i t i o nsa gai ns tac andi dat e . Sa me ;Sa me ;Vi e wt ha tunde rJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l( JBC) 1 0 ,i ti sma nda t o r y t hatanyo ppo s i t i o no n what e v e rg r o und,i nc l udi ngi nt e g r i t yq ue s t i o ns ,mus tb ei n wr i t i ng and under oat h. —JBC10 r eq ui r es t hat names of t he c andi dat es be p ub l i s h e da nd t he p ub l i ci si nf o r me do ft hed e ad l i net ofil ewr i t t e na nd s wo r n o p po s i t i o ns t ot he c a nd i d at e ss ona me df o rc o ns i d e r a t i o n.Und e rJ BC1 0,i ti s ma nd at o r yt ha ta nyo p po s i t i o no nwha t e v e rg r o und,i nc l udi ngi nt e g r i t yq ue s t i o ns , mus tb ei nwr i t i nga ndunde ro a t h.Thec a ndi da t ei sg i v e nac o p yo ft heo pp o s i t i o n a nd a p e r i o do ffiv ed a y swi t hi n whi c ht or e s p o nd ,i fhe s o wi s h e s .The r ea r e de adl i ne sf o rt hefil i ngo fo ppo s i t i o nsandt heans we r st he r e t of o ri ti sa ppar e nto n t hef a c eo fJ BC1 0t ha ta l ls ubmi s s i o nsmus tbedo neb e f o r et hei nt e r v i e w whi c hi sa s e c o ndo ppo r t uni t yf o rac a ndi da t et oa ddr e s sal lc o mpl a i nt so ro ppo s i t i o nsag ai ns t

napubl i cproceedi ngwhi chshal lberecordedi nwri t i ng. hi mi Same ;Same ;Vi e w t hat a wr i t t e nc o mpl ai n / to p po s i t i o n no to nl yi nf o r ms t he c a ndi dat eo ft hec har g e sag ai ns thi m butmo r ei mpo r t ant l y ,i tl i mi t st hei s s ue st hat hene e dst oans we rt ot ho s es t at e di nt hec o mpl ai n / to ppo s i t i o n. —I ti sno tdi ffic u l tt o g l e a nwh yJ BC1 0r e q ui r e st hec o mpl a i nto ro p po s i t i o nt obei nwr i t i ng .A wr i t t e n

c o mpl a i nt / o ppo s i t i o nno to nl yi nf o r mst hec a ndi dat eo ft hec ha r g e sag ai ns thi m but mo r ei mpo r t a nt l y ,i tl i mi t st hei s s ue st ha thene e dst oans we rt ot h o s es t a t e di nt he

ordel i mi t at i on ofi ss uesi c o mpl ai nt / o ppo s i t i o n.Thi spri sc r uc i alt oduepr o c e s s s uc ht hat ,att he

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pub l i ci nt e r v i e wo ra nys u bs e q ue nth e ar i ngt ob ec o nduc t e d ,t hec a ndi d at ewi l lno t bes ur pr i s ed by any new mat t erf orwhi c h he has notbe en gi ve n an adequat e o p po r t uni t yt opr e p ar ehi sd e f e ns e .Thec o mpl a i ntmus ta l s ob eund e ro a t hno to nl y t opr o t e c tt hec a ndi da t ef r o m unt r ut hf ulc ha r g e sbuta l s ot oa v o i dwas t i ngt heJBC’ s t i mei nv e s t i g at i nga nd e v a l ua t i ng f r i v o l o usc o mpl a i nt s .I ti spr e s ume dt hato nl y t ho s ewhoha v eme r i t o r i o usc o mp l a i nt swi l lfil es wo r ns t a t e me nt sast het hr e a to f o p e ni ngt he ms e l v e st oac ha r g eo fpe r j ur ywo ul db es uffic i e ntde t e r r e ntt onui s a nc e fil i ng s . Sa me ;Sa me ;Vi e w t ha ta c a ndi da t ef o ra j udi c i a lpo s i t i o n do e s no tl o s e hi s c o ns t i t ut i o nal l yg uar ant e e dr i g htt oduepr o c e s ss i mpl ybe c aus et heo ppo s i t o rt ohi s c a ndi da c yi st heCha i ro rame mb e ro ft heJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l( JBC). —Tob e s ur e ,t he r ei snol e g alo rl o g i c a lr e a s o nt oe x e mp ta no ppo s i t o rwhoal s oha ppe nst o b eame mb e ro ft heJ BC f r o mt her e q ui r e me nto fs e t t i ngf o r t hhi so rhe ro ppo s i t i o n t oac a ndi da t ei nwr i t i nga ndund e ro at hwi t hi nt het i mel i mi tg i v e nt ot heg e ne r a l pub l i cand t og i v es u c hc a ndi d at ea f a i rpe r i o dt or e s p o nd t ot heo p po s i t i o ni n wr i t i ngo rdur i nghi spubl i ci nt e r v i e wa spr o v i de df o ri nJ BC1 0.A c a ndi dat ef o ra j udi c i alpo s i t i o ndo e sno tl o s ehi sc o ns t i t ut i o nal l yg uar ant e e dr i ghtt oduepr o c e s s s i mp l ybe c a us et heo p po s i t o rt ohi sc a nd i d ac yi st heCha i ro rame mb e ro ft heJ BC. Mo r e o v e r ,i ft heJ BC s e e sfitt oe x e mp to neo fi t so wn f r o mt heapp l i c a t i o no fi t s pub l i s h e dr u l e so fp r o c e d ur e ,i tb e c o me ss u s c e p t i b l et oa na c c us a t i o no fa b us eo f po we ro rar b i t r a r ye x er c i s eofdi s c r e t i o n. Sa me ;Sa me ;Vi e wt hatwhi l ei ti sno tma nda t o r yt ha tt hec a ndi da t eb eg i v e nt he r i g htt oc r o s s e x ami nea wi t ne s s( t hati s ,awi t ne s so t he rt han t heoppo s i t o rs i nc e Se c t i on 3,Rul e 4 ofJudi c i aland Bar Counc i lJBC009 e xpr e s s l y gr ant st he c andi dat et her i g htt oc r o s s e x ami nean o p po s i t o r ) ,t he r emus tb ean o ffic i ala nd ac c ur at ea c c o unto ft hatwi t ne s s ’ st e s t i mo n y whi c hs ho ul db e di s c l o s e dt ot he c a n d i d a t e . —Mo v i ngont oano t he rpo i nt ,i ti st r uet hati ti sdi s c r e t i o nar yo nt hepar t o ft heJ BCt ohe a rt e s t i mo n yo nac o mpl a i nta ga i ns tac a ndi d at eb utha v i ngde c i de d t ohe a rs uc ht e s t i mo n y ,pr o c e d ur a lduepr o c e s sde ma nd st ha tt hec a ndi d at eatl e a s t

b ep r e s e ntt ohe a rt hes u bs t a nc eo ft ha tt e s t i mo n ya nd f o rt ha tt e s t i mo n yt ob e ma depa r to ft her e c o r d.Whi l ei ti sno tma nd at o r yt ha tt hec a nd i da t ebeg i v e nt he r i g htt oc r o s s e x ami neawi t ne s s( t ha ti s ,awi t ne s so t he rt ha nt heo ppo s i t o rs i nc e Se c t i o n3 ,Rul e4o fJ BC0 09e xpr e s s l ygr a nt st he

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c a nd i d at et her i g htt oc r o s s e x a mi nea no p po s i t o r ) ,t he r emus tb ea no ffic i a la nd a c c ur a t ea c c o unto ft ha twi t ne s s ’ st e s t i mo n y whi c hs h o ul db ed i s c l o s e dt ot he c a ndi d at e .Thi sdi s c l o s u r es h o ul dl i k e wi s ebema dep r i o rt ot heo p po r t uni t yt ob e he a r dt ha twi l lb ea c c o r de dt ot hec a ndi da t e ,i nt hi sc a s epr i o rt ot hes e s s i o no n June3 0. Co ns t i t ut i o nalLa w;DuePr o c e s s ;Vi e wt hatan i ndi v i dual ’ sc o ns t i t ut i o nalr i g htt o duep r o c e s sc anno tb es a c r i fic e di nt henameo fc o n fide n t i al i t y. —I ft hes ub j e c tma t t e r o ft heo ppo s i t i o nag ai ns tac a ndi da t ei nv o l v e si nf o r ma t i o no fahi g hl yc o n fide nt i a l na t u r eanddi v ul g i ngt hepr i v i l e g e dma t t e rc o u l dno tb ea v o i de d,wo ul dt ha tj us t i f y d i s p e ns i ng wi t h wr i t t e n no t i c e s ,s u b mi s s i o n s a nd a c c ur a t e r e c o r d s o ft he pr o c e e d i ng s ?Thea ns we rs h o ul db ear e s o u nd i ngno .Ani ndi v i d ua l ’ sc o n s t i t ut i o na l r i g htt od uep r o c e s sc a nno tb es a c r i fic e di nt hena meo fc o nfid e nt i a l i t y .TheJ BC s ho ul ds t i l lr e q ui r eawr i t t e nc o mpl a i ntanda l l o wt hec a ndi da t er e as o na bl et i met o s u bmi tawr i t t e na ns we ri fhes owi s h e so ra l l o w hi mt ob ehe a r do r a l l yatahe a r i ng f o rwhi c ha c c ur a t er e c o r d ss h o ul db ek e p t butal ls ubmi s s i onsand rec ordsof

t heproceedi ngss hal lbet reat edwi t ht heut mostconfident i al i t y. Sa me ;Judi c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l ;Judg e s ;Vi e wt ha tt heJudi c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l ( JBC)wa sc r e a t e dunde rt heCo ns t i t ut i o na sani nde p e nde ntb o dyt a s k e dwi t ht he de l i c at ef unc t i o no fv e t t i ng t heq ual i fic at i o nso fappl i c a nt st oj udi c i alpo s i t i o ns , amongo t her s . —TheJ BC s e e mso bl i v i o ust ot hec o nfli c to fi nt e r e s ts i t ua t i o nt ha t a r i s e swhe nt heo p po s i t o rund e rSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0i same mb e ro ft heJ BC.The J BC wa sc r e a t e dund e rt heCo n s t i t ut i o na sa ni nd e p e nd e ntb o d yt a s k e dwi t ht he de l i c a t ef unc t i o no fv e t t i ng t he qual i fic a t i o nso fa ppl i c a nt st oj udi c i alp o s i t i o ns , a mo ngo t he r s .Al t ho ug hIa g r e ewi t ht heJBC t ha tt hi sf unc t i o nc a nno te x a c t l yb e t e r me dj udi c i alo rquas i j udi c i al ,It akee xc e pt i o nt ot hepr o po s i t i o nt hatt heCo unc i l i sno te ng ag e di nf ac t findi ngort hati tne e dno tde t e r mi net het r ut ho rf al s i t yo fan o ppo s i t i o nag ai ns tac a ndi dat e .I ft hati ss o ,whydo e si te v e nr e q ui r eob j e c t o r st o s we a rt ot he i ro pp o s i t i o na nd s u bmi ts u pp o r t i ng e v i d e nc e ?I nt hi sr e g a r d,J BC me mb e r sdof unc t i o ns i mi l a r l yt oi mp ar t i a li n v e s t i g at o r so rf a c t finde r swhoa r e

s uppose dt omakean unbi as edr ec ommendat i onont hefit nes sofac andi dat ef or j udi c i alo ffic et ot hePr e s i de ntbas e do nade t e r mi nat i o no fr e l e v antf ac t s .

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Judi c i aland BarCo unc i l ;Judg e s ;Vi e wt hatasa mat t e ro fpr ac t i c e ,whe nt he Judi c i al and Bar Co unc i l( JBC) s ubmi t st he s ho r tl i s tt ot he Pr e s i de nt t he c a ndi da t e sa r er a nk e db yt he numb e ro fv o t e st ha tt he yg a t he r e d dur i ng t he de l i be r at i o n. —Asama t t e ro fp r a c t i c e ,whe nt heJBC s u bmi t st hes ho r tl i s tt ot he Pr e s i d e ntt hec a nd i d at e sa r era n ke db yt henumb e ro fv o t e st ha tt he yg a t he r e d dur i ngt hede l i be r a t i o n.Thi sr a nki ngi sme antt oi ndi c a t et hes t r e n gt ho ft heJBC’ s r e c o mme nda t i o nf o re a c hc a ndi da t ei nr e l a t i o nt ot heo t he r so nt hel i s t .TheJBC c o n t e n dst ha t ,whe np e t i t i o n e r ’ si nt e g r i t ywa sc ha l l e n g e da nd t heJ BC Me mb e r o p po s i t o ri nhi b i t e df r o mt hev o t i ng o n hi sc a ndi d ac y ,hes h o ul d ha v eg o t t e nt he a ffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa l lfiv er e ma i ni ngJBCMe mb e r se l i g i b l et ov o t eo nhi sc a nd i da c y . No w,s u ppo s ehedi dg e tt heuna ni mo usv o t eo ft heno no b j e c t o r s .I nt he o r y ,t ha t wo ul db eape r f e c ts c o r e . Same ;Same ;Vi e wt hatt hatpe t i t i o ne rwas“ di s l o y al ”t ot heRe p ubl i ci sno taf ac t ;i t i sb utano pi ni o no rc o nc l us i o n,whi c hs ho ul dhav eb e e ns uppo r t e dwi t hf ac t s , t hati s , do c ume nt a r ye v i de nc ea nd s wo r nt e s t i mo n i e so raffida v i t sf r o m wi t ne s s e s wi t h pe r s o nalkno wl e dg eo ft hemat t e ri nv o l v e d. —Tha tpe t i t i o ne rwa s“ di s l o y a l ”t ot he Re publ i ci sno taf a c t ;i ti sbuta no pi ni o no rc o nc l us i o n,whi c hs ho ul dha v eb e e n s u pp o r t e d wi t hf a c t s ,t ha ti s ,d o c u me nt a r ye v i d e nc ea nd s wo r nt e s t i mo ni e so r a ffid av i t sf r o m wi t ne s s e swi t hpe r s o n alkno wl e d geo ft hema t t e ri n v o l v e d .TheChi e f Jus t i c ec o ul dno tpo s s i bl yha v epe r s o nalkno wl e dg eo ft hei nt e r nalde l i be r a t i o nsa nd di s c us s i o nsi nt heEx e c ut i v ede pa r t me ntr e g ar di ngt heaf o r e s a i di nt e r na t i o na lc a s e b e c aus ei fs hedo e st he nIwo ul df e art hee r o s i o no ft hes e pa r a t i o no fpo we r si no ur g o v e r nme nt .Se c r e t a r yDeLi ma ,whoi sp ar to ft heCa bi ne t ,wo ul de v e ns t a t et ha t s hewa sno tc l e a rwhe na ndho wt hes t r a t e g yc o mp l a i ne do fb yt heChi e fJ us t i c e ha ppe ne dandi ft hi swast hepe t i t i o ne r ’ si de a .Mo r ei mpo r t a nt l y , Se c r e t ar yDeLi ma di dno tq ue s t i o npe t i t i o ne r ’ si nt e gr i t yandv o t e df o rhi si nc l us i o ni nt hes ho r tl i s t . Ne i t he ri st he r ea ny t hi ngo nr e c o r dt oi nde pe nde nt l yc o r r o b o r a t et hemo r a l i t yi s s u e o rt hes t o c kt r a ns a c t i o ni s s uewhi c hwe r ea l l e g edl yr e po r t e dt ot heChi e fJus t i c e .

Re me di alLaw;Ev i de nc e ;He ar s ayEv i de nc eRul e ;Vi e wt hate v e r yl aw s t ude ntkno ws t hatmat t e r sa t t e s t e dt obyape r s o nwi t hnope r s o nalkno wl e dg eo ft hes ames hal lb e de e me d he ar s ay whi c h has no pr obat i vev al ue. —Ev er yl aw s t udentkno wst hat ma t t e r sa t t e s t e dt ob yape r s o nwi t hnope r s o n alkno wl e d geo ft hes a mes h al lb e

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d e e me dhe a r s a ywhi c hha snop r o b a t i v ev a l ue .TheCo u r the l di n Jo s ev .Ang e l e s , 7 08SCRA 5 06( 2 01 3) :Ev i d e nc ei she a r s a ywhe ni t sp r o b at i v ef o r c ede p e nd so nt he c o mp e t e nc ya ndc r e d i b i l i t yo fs o mepe r s o nso t he rt ha nt hewi t ne s sb ywho mi ti s s o ug htt ob ep r o d uc e d .Thee x c l us i o no fhe a r s a ye v i d e nc ei sanc ho r e do nt hr e e r e a s o ns : ( 1 )a bs e nc eo fc r o s s e x a mi na t i o n;( 2 )a bs e nc eo fde me a no re v i de nc e ; a nd( 3 ) abs e nc eo fo at h.Ba s i cunde rt her ul e so fe v i de nc ei st hatawi t ne s sc a no nl yt e s t i f y o nf a c t s wi t hi n hi so rhe rp e r s o n alk no wl e d g e .Thi sp e r s o n alk no wl e d g ei sa s ubs t ant i v epr e r e qui s i t ei nac c e pt i ngt e s t i mo ni ale v i de nc ee s t abl i s hi ngt het r ut ho f adi s p ut e df a c t .Co r o l l a r i l y ,ado c u me nto ffe r e da spr o o fo fi t sc o nt e nt shast ob e a ut he nt i c a t e di nt hema nne rpr o v i d e di nt her ul e s ,t ha ti s ,b yt hep e r s o n wi t h pe r s o na lkno wl e dg eo ft hef ac t ss t a t e di nt hedo c u me nt .( Ci t a t i o nso mi t t e d)He ar s a y , who me v e rt hes o ur c e ,i ss t i l lhe ar s a y . Judi c i aland BarCo unc i l ;Judg e s ;Vi e wt hatasan i nde pe nde nt ,c o ns t i t ut i o nal s c r e e ni ng bo dy t hati she l di n hi g hr e g ar d byt hepubl i c ,t heJudi c i aland Bar Counci l( JBC s ) ho ul d bas ei t sde t e r mi nat i o nt hata c andi dat edo e sno thav et he r e q ui s i t ei nt e g r i t yt oho l dj udi c i alo ffic eo ns o me t hi ngmo r et hans p e c ul at i o n,r u mo r o runv e r i fie dr e p o r t . —If ul l yag r e ewi t hJ us t i c eBr i o nt ha ta l t ho ug ht heJ BC r u l e s a l l o wt heJBC t ound e r t a keadi s c r e e tb ac kg r o undc he c k,i fs u c ha ni nv e s t i g a t i o n y i e l dsama t t e rt ha tma ybes ub j e c to fa no ppo s i t i o nt he ns uc ho ppo s i t i o ns ho ul db e i n wr i t i ng .Re l i a nc eo ni nf o r ma lc o mp l a i nt sr e a c hi ng t hee a r so fJ BC Me mb e r s c anno tbe deemed s uffic i entco mpl i anc e wi t h due pr oc es s ,es pec i al l y when t he na t u r eo ft hec o mpl ai ntma yt r i g ge ra na ppl i c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 t ha two ul ds e to nec a ndi da t eapa r tf r o mt heo t he r si nt e r mso ft her e q ui r e dv o t et o b ei nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s t .Ha r d e a r ne dr e p ut a t i o nsma yl i ke wi s eb es u mma r i l y des t r o ye d by a publ i c announc ement t hata c andi dat ef orj udi c i alo ffic e who o t he r wi s eg a r ne r e dama j o r i t yv o t ewa se x c l ude df r o mt hes ho r tl i s tb yt heJ BC o n t heg r o undo fl a c ko fi nt e g r i t y .Asan i nde pe nde nt ,c o n s t i t ut i o na ls c r e e ni ngb ody t hati she l di nhi g hr e g a r db yt hepubl i c , t heJBCs ho ul db as ei t sd e t e r mi na t i o nt ha t ac a ndi da t edo e sno tha v et her e q ui s i t ei nt e g r i t yt oho l dj udi c i a lo ffic eo ns o me t hi ng mo r et ha ns p e c u l a t i o n,r u mo ro run v e r i fie dr e p o r t .

Sa me ;Sa me ;Vi e wt ha tt heJudi c i a la nd Ba rCo u nc i l( JBC)s ho u l dc a t e g o r i c a l l y de c i debyma j o r i t yv o t eo nt hee x i s t e nc eo fas ubs t ant i ali nt e g r i t yi s s uewhi c hwi l l war r antt hea ppl i c a t i o no f

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Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0t oapar t i c ul arc a ndi dat e. —Af t e ra ni nt e gr i t yc ha l l e ng eha sbe e n made i nc ompl i ancewi t ht he pr oc edur alr eq ui r ement s underJBC10,t he JBC s houl dt akea prel nwhe t he rs uc hc ha l l e ng et oac a nd i d at et r ul y i mi nary vot eo i nv o l v e daq ue s t i o no fi nt e g r i t yb as e do ne a c hCo unc i lme mb er ’ sa ppr e c i a t i o no ft he ma t e r i a lf a c t sa ndt he ymus tde t e r mi nei ft hei s s uei ss ub s t a nt i a le no ug ht or e q ui r e a pp l i c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 0 9.The J BC s ho u l d no tr e l yo nt he o ppo s i t o r ’ sc har a c t e r i z a t i o no fhi so wn o bj e c t i o na sa ni nt e gr i t yq ue s t i o na swha t ha pp e ne di nt hi sc a s e .TheJBC s h o ul dc a t e g o r i c a l l yde c i debyma j o r i t yv o t eo nt he e x i s t e nc eofa s ub s t ant i a li nt e gr i t yi s s ue whi c h wi l lwar r a ntt he a ppl i c a t i o no f Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e10t oap ar t i c ul a rc a nd i da t e .Onl yt he ns h o ul dt heJBC v o t eo nt he no mi na t i o nso ft hec a ndi da t e st ode t e r mi newhowi l lb es h o r tl i s t e d.Be f o r et he s e c o ndv o t i ng ,i ts h o ul db ec l e a rt ot heJBC ho w ma nyv o t e se a c hc a nd i d at es ho ul d g ar n e rt ob e no mi na t e d .I nv i e wo ft hehi g hl yp r e j udi c i a le ffe c to fa ni nt e g r i t y c ha l l e n g et oa c a nd i d a t e ,myp r o p o s e dt l le ns ur e wos t ep vot i ng procedurewi t hatama j o r i t yv o t ei sfir s tr e ac he do nt hee xi s t e nc eo ft hei nt e gr i t yi s s uebe f o r et he JBC wi l lr equi r e a unani mous vo t e on t he fit nes s ofa s pec i fic c andi dat ef or no mi na t i o n.Dur i ngt hes e c o ndv o t i ng ,e a c hJ BC Me mb e ri sp uto nno t i c et ha ti fhe o rs hedo e sno tv o t ef o rt ha tc a ndi dat e ’ sno mi nat i o ni twi l lme ane x c l us i o no ft ha t c a ndi d at ef r o mt hes h o r tl i s tf o rl a c ko fauna ni mo usv o t e .Thes e c o nd v o t ewi l l c l e a r l ye v i nc et hei nt e nto ft heno n vo t i ng me mb e r ( s )t os oe x c l udea c a ndi d at e . Thr o ug ht hi spr o c e dur e ,t heJ BC c a na v o i dt hepe r n i c i o uss i t ua t i o no fami no r i t y b e i nga bl et opr e j udi c eac a ndi da t e ’ sappl i c a t i o no nt he i rme r emani f e s t a t i o nt ha t t he yar ei nv o ki ngSe c t i o n2,Rul e10o na ni nt e g r i t yq ue s t i o n. Same ;Same ;Vi e wt hatt hePr e s i de n t ’ se x e r c i s eo fhi spo we rt ofil lav ac a nc yi nt he Supr e meCo ur t( SC)wi t hi nt hede adl i nei sac o ns t i t ut i o nalma ndat et hatma yno tb e e nj o i ne dbyanyc o ur t . —Ic o nc urwi t ht heJBC t ha tt hePr e s i de nt ’ se x e r c i s eo fhi s po we rt ofil lav ac a nc yi nt hi sCo ur twi t hi nt hede a dl i nei sac o ns t i t ut i o na lma nda t e t ha tma y no tb ee nj o i ne db ya ny c o ur t .I na ny e v e nt ,p e t i t i o ne r ’ sp r a y e rf o ra t e mp o r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r d e rwo u l db er e n de r e dmo o ta n da c a de mi cb yt heCo u r t ’ s di s p os i t i o no ft hi sc a s eo nt heme r i t s , whe t he rf a v or a bl yo runf a v or a bl y .

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Br i o n, J. , Se p ar at eCo nc ur r i ngOp i ni o n: Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;Vi e wt hatt heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l( JBC)dwe l twi t h mat t e r st hatJar de l e z ac o u l d nol o ng e rc o nt r o v e r ti nt hi sc as ewi t ho utr i s k i ngt he l aps eo ft hep r e s i de nt i alt i mel i mi to nappo i nt me n t st ot heSupr e meCo ur t( SC). —To ,t heJ BC t opal lt heabovecharacteri st i csandt oJardel eza’ sgreatprej udi ce de l e z ac o ul dnol o ng e rc o nt r o v e r ti nt hi sc as ewi t ho ut d we l twi t h ma t t e r st ha tJar r i s k i ng t hel aps eo ft hepr e s i de nt i a lt i mel i mi to na ppo i nt me nt st ot heSupr e me Co ur t .Ad di t i o na l l y ,t het e r mso ft hi sSuppl e me nt a lCo mme nta r e ,o nt he i rf a c e s , s i ckeni ng a st he ya r enol e s st ha nda gg e r sus e di nac ha r a c t e ra s s a s s i na t i o nma de i nt heg ui s eo faSuppl e me nt a lCo mme nt .Ex pr e s s l y ,i ta l l e g e dt ha tJ a r d e l e z aha d b e e n“ d i s l o y a lt ot hec o unt r y . ”TheSup pl e me nt a lCo mme nta l s ol ai d bare as p ec t s o ft he g o v e r nme nta r b i t r a t i o nc a s et ha t no r e s pons i bl egov e r nme nto ffici al , mores oi fs hei sChi efJus t i ce,woul ds oopenl ydi scuss.Tobes ur e ,t obec al l e d di s l o y a lt oo ne ’ sc o u nt r yi snol a ug hi ngma t t e rt ha to nec a ne as i l yb r us has i deand f o r g e t .Att hev e r yl e as t ,i ti sac a r e er ki l l e r ,no tt ome nt i o nt hepe r s o nals t i g mai t l e a v e so no ne ’ spe r s o n ,f a mi l ya nd a l lpa s ta c c o mpl i s h me nt s .Wha te l e v a t e st hi s c h a r g et ot hel e v e lo fmal i c e i st ha ti ta ppe a r st oha v ebe e n pur pos e l yt i me d t obe e mb o d i e di nt heSup pl e me n t a lCo mme n ta tt hes t a g eo ft hec a s ewhe ni tc o u l dno l o ng e rb er e f ut e d .Tho s ewhoha v er e a d Sha ke s p e ar e ’ sJul i usCa e s a rc a nr e a di l y a pp r e c i a t et ha tJa r d e l e z ac a n no wv e r yr i g ht l ys a y :Ett u,Chi e fJus t i c e who s houl d bet hechi efguardi an ofpeopl e’ sper s onalri ght st hrough t hedue pr oc e s sc l aus e ? Same ; Vi e w t hat t he Judi c i ar y has no busi nes s pas s i ng j udgme nt , howe ve r i nf o r mal l y ,o ni nt e r nalde v e l o pme n t swi t hi nt heEx e c ut i v eDe p ar t me nt ,ac o o r di nat e andc o e q ualb r anc h,unl e s st hede v e l o pme n t sar ef ac t si ni s s uei nac a s e. —Idonot s har e ,t o o ,CJSe r e no ’ sv i e wt ha twec a nd i s c us sa ndbej ud gme nt a la bo utama t t e r t ha twho l l yl i e swi t hi nEx e c ut i v edo ma i na ndwho s epub l i cdi s c us s i o na tt hi spo i nt ma y wo r kt ot hep r e j ud i c ea nd d e t r i me n to ft hec o u nt r y .TheJ ud i c i a r yha sno b us i ne s spa s s i ngj udg me nt ,ho we v e ri nf o r ma l l y ,o ni nt e r na ld e v e l o p me nt swi t hi n

t he Exe c ut i ve Depar t ment ,a c oo r di nat e and c oe qual br anc h, unl es s t he d e v e l o p me nt sa r ef a c t si ni s s ue i n ac a s e .Ev e ni nt he l a t t e rc a s e ,we s h o ul d par t i c ul ar l ybec ar e f uli no ura c t i o nswhe nt he s eac t i o nsma ypo s s i bl ye nt ai lr i s kt o t henat i o nali nt e r e s t s .I ft heChi e fJus t i c ei sadv e nt ur o us

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e no ug ht ot a ke s u c hr i s k s ,t he nt hi s Op i ni o na nd l i k ea c t i o nsf r o m i nd i v i d ua l Jus t i c e so ft hi sCo ur t ,wi l la tl e as ts i g nalt ot heEx e c ut i v eandt ot henat i o nt hat t heCourti t se l fasan i ns t i t ut i on doesnots haret heChi efJus t i ce’ svi ews .I f i nd e e ds h eha da na wa r e n e s so ft hes e ns i t i v i t yo ft hema t t e r sbr o ug htu pt ot he l e v e lo ft heJBC,s h es h o ul dha v et a ke nme a s u r e sa nds a f e g ua r d st oe ns u r et he i r c o nfide nt i a l i t y ,o r ,mus tha v ea tl e a s tc o ns u l t e dwi t ht heo ffic e sc o nc e r ne do nho w be s tt ohandl epo s s i bl enat i o nali nt e r e s tc o nc e r ns .I r o ni c a l l y ,ase ve nt si nt hi sc as e unf o l de d,s hee v e ni ni t i at e dt hef ul le x po s i t i o n i nt heSuppl ement alCommentof ma t t e r st hatma ypo s s i bl yi nv o l v enat i o nali nt e r e s tr i s ks . DuePr o c e s s ;Vi e wt hatf r o mt hepe r s pe c t i v eo fs t r i c tl e g al i t y ,J.Lag man’ spho nec al l and i nv i t at i o nt oJar de l e z ao n June16and 1 7 ,2 01 4,c a nno tt he r e f o r es e r v easa no t i c es uffic i e ntf o rduep r o c e s spur p o s e s. J —Fr o mt hepe r s pe c t i v eo fs t r i c tl e gal i t y ,. La g ma n’ sp ho nec a l la ndi n vi t a t i o nt oJ ar d e l e z ao nJ une16a nd1 7 ,2 01 4,c a nno t t he r e f o r es e r v easano t i c es uffic i e ntf o rd uepr o c e s sp ur p os e s .Jar d e l e z awasi nv i t e d t oc o meandwa so nl yg e ne r a l l yi nf o r me dt ha tt he r ewo ul db ea no b j e c t i o na g ai ns t hi si nt e g r i t y .Asf ur t he rdi s c us s e db e l o w,de s pi t ehi ss u bs e q ue ntJ une2 4,2 01 4 l e t t e rt ot heCo ur ta nd t o CJSe r e no ,hewa sno ti nf o r me do ft hed e t a i l so ft he o b j e c t i o na ndwa smor ei nt hedar kr at he rt han i nf or me d and e nl i ght e ne d, whenheat t endedt heJune30, 2014JBCmee t i ng. Judi c i aland BarCo unc i l ;Vi e wt hats upe r v i s i ngo ffic i al sme r e l ys e et oi tt hatt he r ul e sar ef o l l o we d,butt he yt he ms e l v e sdono tl a ydo wnt he s er ul e s ,no rdot he yhav e t hedi s c r e t i o nt omo di f yo rr e pl ac et he m. —TheJ BCf unc t i o nsa sac o l l e g i a lb o dyt ha t r e c o mme ndst ot h ePr e s i de ntas ho r tl i s to fno mi ne e sf o rv ac a ntj udi c i a lpo s i t i o ns , f r o m whi c hl i s tt hePr e s i de ntt he nc ho o s e shi sappo i nt e e .I ti sac o ns t i t ut i o nalbo dy c r e a t e d unde rt he 1 98 7 Co ns t i t ut i o nt or e p l a c et he hi g hl y po l i t i c a lpr o c e s so f j udi c i alappo i nt me nt si nt hepas t ,and wasme antt omaket hes e l e c t i o n pr o c e s s mo r ec o mpe t e nc e b as e d.I tal s os e e kst os hi e l dt hej udi c i ar yf r o m po l i t i c a lpr e s s ur e f r om t he o t her br anc hes ofgo ve r nment .To part l y quot et he wor di ng oft he Co ns t i t ut i o n,Ar t i c l eVI I I ,Se c t i o n8 ( 1 )a nd ( 5 )pr o v i det ha t“ A Judi c i a la nd Bar

Counc i li sher ebyc r eat edundert hes uper vi s i on oft heSupr emeCourt … I tmay e x e r c i s es u c ho t he rf unc t i o nsandd ut i e sa st heSup r e meCo ur tma ya s s i g nt oi t . ” Super vi s i on,asa l egalconcept ,ha sbe e nd e fine da st hepo we ro fo v e r s i g ht ,o r t he

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aut ho r i t yt os e et hats ubo r d i nat eo ffic e r spe r f o r mt he i rd ut i e s .I ti nv o l v e se ns ur i ng t ha tt hel a wo rt her u l e sg o v e r ni ngt hec o nduc to fago v e r nme ntb o dyo rs ub o r d i na t e o ffic e rar ef o l l o we d.Supe r v i s i ngoffic i al sme r e l ys e et oi tt hatt her ul e sa r ef o l l o we d, b utt he yt he ms e l v e sdono tl a ydo wnt he s er u l e s ,no rd ot he yha v et hedi s c r e t i o nt o mo d i f yo rr e p l a c et he m.I ft her u l e sa r eno to b s e r v e d,t he yma yo r d e rt hewo r kdo ne o rr e do ne ,buto nl yt oc o nf o r mt ot her ul e s . Co ns t i t ut i o nalLa w;Judi c i ar y ;Jur i s d i c t i o n;Ce r t i o r ar i ;Vi e w t hat t he pr e s e nt Co ns t i t ut i o n no to nl yi nt e g r a t e st het r adi t i o nalde fini t i o no fj udi c i alpo we r ,but i nt r o duc e sa swe l lac o mpl e t e l yne we x p ande dpo we rt ot heJudi c i ar yunde rt hel a s t phr as e— “ t ode t e r mi newhe t he ro rno tt he r ehasbe e n agr av eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o n amount i ng t ol ac k or e xc e s s of j uri s di c t i on on t he part of any br anc h or i ns t r ume n t a l i t yo ft heGo v e r nme nt . ” —AsIh av eno t e di ns e v e r a lc a s e si nt hepa s t , t he1 98 7 Co ns t i t ut i o ng r a nt e dt heCo ur ta ne x p and e dj ur i s d i c t i o nt od e t e r mi ne whe t he rg r a v ea b us eo fd i s c r e t i o nha db e e nc o mmi t t e db yag o v e r nme n ta g e nc yo r i ns t r ume nt al i t y ,v i z . :Se c t i o n1 .Thej udi c i a lpo we rs h al lb ev e s t e di no neSupr e me Cour tand i ns uc hl o werc ourt s as may be es t abl i s hed by l aw.Judi c i alpo wer i nc l ude st hedut yo ft hec o ur t so fj us t i c et os e t t l eac t ualc o nt r o v e r s i e si nv o l v i ng r i g ht swhi c ha r el e g al l yde ma nda bl eande nf o r c e a bl e ,a ndt ode t e r mi ne whe t he ro r nott her ehasbee n a graveabus eofdi s cr e t i on amount i ngt ol ackorexc es s ofj ur i s di c t i on o nt hepa r to fa nyb r a nc ho ri ns t r u me nt a l i t yo ft heGo v e r nme nt . Unde rt he s et e r ms ,t hepr e s e ntCo ns t i t ut i o n no to nl yi nt e g r a t e st he t radi t i onal , but i nt r oduc e s as we l l a compl defini t i on of j udi ci al power et el y new

expandedpowert ot heJ ud i c i a r yund e rt hel a s tp hr a s e— “ t ode t e r mi newhe t he r o rno tt he r eha sb e e nagraveabus eofdi s cre t i on a mo unt i ngt ol a c ko re x c e s so f j ur i s di c t i o no nt hepar to fanybranc h ori ns t rume nt al i t yoft heGov e rnment. ” Unde rt hi se xpande dj udi c i alpo we r ,j us t i c i abi l i t y e xpr e s s l y andt e xt ual l y depe nds onl y o nt hepr e s e nc eo rabs e nc eo fgr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o n,asd i s t i ng ui s he df r o ma s i t uat i o nwhe r et hei s s ueofc o ns t i t ut i o nalv al i di t yi sr a i s e dwi t hi na“ t r a di t i o nal l y ” j us t i c i abl ec as ewhi c hde mandst hatt her e qui r e me nto fac t ualc o nt r o v e r s ybas e do n

e v e ni ft he r e qui r e me nt s unde rt he s p e c i fic l e g a lr i g ht s mus te x i s t .No t a bl y , t r a di t i o nalde fini t i o no fj udi c i alp o we rar eappl i e d,t he s er e q ui s i t e sar ec o mpl i e d wi t ho nc eg r a v ea bus eo fdi s c r e t i o ni spr i maf ac i es ho wnt oha v et a k e np l a c e .The pr e s e nc e

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o rabs e nc eo fgr av eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o ni st hej us t i c i abl ei s s uet ober e s o l v e d. Same ;Same ;Same ;Same ;Ne w CodeofConduc tf o rJudi c i alOffic i al si nt he Phi l i ppi neJudi c i ar y ;Vi e wt hatt hr o ug hi t spr ac t i c e s ,t heSupr e meCo ur t( SC)has al l o we dt heus eo fc e r t i o r a r iasar e me dyt oi nv o ket heCo ur t ’ se x p ande dj ur i s di c t i o n t ode t e r mi newhe t he rg r a v ea bus eo fdi s c r e t i o nhadb e e nc o mmi t t e d. —Rul e6 5o ft he Rul e so fCo ur tr e fle c t st het r adi t i o nalj ur i s di c t i o no ft heCo ur t ,andt husr e q ui r e s t hata pe t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar ibedi r e c t e dt o war d sa j udi c i alo rquas i j udi c i ala c t . J ur i s p r ude nc ea f t e rt he1 98 7 Co ns t i t ut i o n’ se na c t me nt ,ho we v e r ,ha sr e p e at e d l y i nv o k e dt heCo ur t ’ se x p and e dj ur i s d i c t i o n— al be i t wi t ho ute x pr e s s l yna mi ngi t— b yc a r v i ng o ute x c e p t i o ns o nt he r e q ui r e me nt sf o rj us t i c i a bi l i t y .Re c e ntc a s e s , ho we v e r ,ha v eb e e n mo r ec o g ni z a nto ft he Co ur t ’ se x p and e dj ur i s d i c t i o n.Thus , t hr o ug hi t spr a c t i c e s ,t heCo ur tha sa l l o we dt heus eo fc e r t i o r ar iasar e me dyt o i n v o k et he Co u r t ’ se x p a nd e dj ur i s d i c t i o nt od e t e r mi ne whe t he rg r a v ea b us eo f d i s c r e t i o nha db e e nc o mmi t t e d .TheCo ur tha ss oac t e dr e g a r d l e s so fwhe t he rt he as s ai l e dac ti squas i j udi c i alo rno t . Sa me ;Sa me ;Sa me ;Sa me ;Vi e wt ha tt os uc c e s s f ul l yi n v o k et heCo ur t ’ se x p ande d j ur i s di c t i o n,t hepe t i t i o ne rmus tpr i maf ac i es ho wt hatt heas s ai l e d ac tc o ns t i t ut e s gr av e abus eo fdi s c r e t i o n by any br anc ho ri ns t r ume nt al i t yo fgo v e r nme nt. —To s uc c e s s f ul l yi nv o ket heCo ur t ’ se x pa nde dj ur i s d i c t i o n,t hepe t i t i o ne rmus t pr i ma f ac i e s ho wt ha tt heas s a i l e dac tc o n s t i t ut e sgr a v ea bus eo fdi s c r e t i o nb ya nyb r a nc h o ri ns t r ume n t a l i t yo fg o v e r nme n t .I n my v i e w,J a r d e l e z ac o mp l i e d wi t ht hi s r e q ui r e me ntwi t h hi sna r r a t i o no ft hef a c t st h att r a ns p i r e ddur i ngt hes e l e c t i o n pr o c e s sv i s àv i st heJBC Rul e so fPr o c e d ur e ,whi c ha l l e g a t i o n st heJBC d i d no t e s s e nt i al l yc o nt r adi c t . Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;DuePr o c e s s ;Vi e wt hatIc anno tag r e ewi t ht heJudi c i al and BarCo unc i l ’ s( JBC’ s )c o nt e nt i o nt hatt hei nv e s t i g at i v enat ur eo ft hes e l e c t i o n pr o c e s saut o mat i c al l yme anst hatt heduepr o c e s sr i ght so fappl i c ant sc anno tbe i nv o ke dag ai ns ti t . —Theuni q ue ne s sa ndno v e l t yo ft heJBC’ ss e l e c t i o npr o c e s sg i v e

i ta mpl eb utno tunb r i dl e dl i c e ns et oa c ti n pe r f o r mi ng i t s dut i e s . I tc annot conducti t spr oce edi ngsi n vi ol at i on ofi ndi vi dualf undament alr i ght sor o t he rpr o v i s i o nsoft heCo ns t i t ut i o n.Fo rt hi sr e a s o n ,Ic a nno ta gr e ewi t ht he J BC’ sc o nt e nt i o nt hatt he

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i nv e s t i g a t i v e na t ur eo ft he s e l e c t i o n pr o c e s saut o ma t i c a l l y me a ns t ha tt he due pr o c e s sr i g ht so fappl i c a nt sc a nno tbei nv o ke dag ai ns ti t .Asa bodyve s t e d wi t h gove r nme nt al f unc t i ons ,i t i nt e r ac t s wi t h, and i t s ac t i ons affe ct , i ndi vi dual swhoseri ght smus tbecons i der ed. Same ;Same ;Vi e wt hati nv o l v e dhe r ei sar e put at i o nb ui l t upo v e rt hey e ar sasan o ut s t andi ngs t ude n t ,apr e e mi ne n tl aw pr ac t i t i o ne r ,andahi g hr a nki nggo v e r nme n t o ffic i a ln o wo ffic i a l l yr e p r e s e nt i ngnol e s st ha nt heGo v e r nme nt. —I n v o l v e dhe r ei sa r e p ut a t i o nb ui l t up o v e rt hey e a r sa sa no ut s t a ndi ngs t ude nt ,a pr e e mi ne ntl a w pr a c t i t i o ne r ,a ndahi g hr a nki ngg o v e r nme nto ffic i a lno wo ffic i a l l yr e p r e s e nt i ngno l e s st ha nt heGo v e r nme nt .J ar d e l e z a ’ sno ni nc l us i o ni nt hel i s t— d e s p i t eb e i ng c o ns i de r e db yma nyasas t r o ngc o nt e nde r ,t a ke nt o g e t he rwi t ht hes t a t e me ntf r o m t heCo u r t ’ sPub l i cI nf o r ma t i o nOffic eanno u nc e me n tt ha tt he r es h o ul dha v eb e e n five nomi nees , had i t not been f or an i nvo c at i on of Rul e 10, Sec t i on 2 of J BC0 09— c a nno tb uts i g na ld o ub t sa bo utJ a r d e l e z a ’ si nt e g r i t y .Tha tJa r d e l e z a wa st hee x c l ud e dno mi ne eha db e e nc o n fir me db ys ub s e q ue n tj ud i c i a lp r o c e e d i ng s b e f o r et hi sCo ur t ,t ha tha sb e e nt hes u bj e c to fme d i aa t t e nt i o nt hr o ug hv a r i o us ar t i c l e ss pe c ul at i ngonhi si nt e gr i t y .Thus ,t heJBC’ sf ai l ur et oappl ypr o c e dur a ldue pr o c e s sha spr e j udi c e dJ ar de l e z a ’ spr i v at ei nt e r e s t :hewase x c l ude df r o mt hes ho r t l i s to fno mi ne e s ,t ot hepr e j udi c eo fhi sr e put at i o nandde s pi t et her e qui r e dma j o r i t y v o t e shegar ne r e d .Co nc e i v ab l y ,t heac c us a t i o na ga i ns thi m— i fl e f tunr e s o l v e d— wo ul da l s oaffe c thi sc o nt i nue ds t a yi nhi spo s ta sSo l i c i t o rGe ne r als i nc et heme di a c o nt i nue st os p e c ul a t eo nt he ma t t e r .Fur t he ri na c t i o nf r o m t hi s Co ur two ul d f ur t he rt ai ntJar d e l e z a’ sr e put at i o n,g i v e nt heal l e g at i o nsa l r e a dyma deatt heJBC a ndi nt he s ep r o c e e d i ng s . Same ;Sa me ;Pr o c e dur alDuePr o c e s s ;Vi e wt hatpr o c e dur alduep r o c e s si safle x i b l e c o nc e p t ,andt her e q ui r e ds a f e g uar dsa ndpr o c e d ur e st oe ns ur ei tma yc ha ng eb as e d o nt hena t ur eo ft hec a s eand t hea t t e ndantf a c t s. —Pr o c e d ur a ld uep r o c e s si sa

fle x i b l ec o n c e p t ,a nd t he r e q u i r e ds a f e g u ar d sa nd p r o c e d ur e st oe n s u r ei tma y c ha ng eba s e do nt hena t ur eo ft hec a s ea ndt heat t e nda ntf a c t s .Buta tt hehe a r to f pr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s si f s ai r ne s s ,a se mb o di e di ni t smo s tb as i cr e q ui r e me nt s :t he meani ngf ulopport uni t yt obeheard( audial t er am part em)byan i mpart i al de ci s i onmaker( ne moj ude xi n part es ua) .Duepr o c e s s ,asi to r i g i nat e df r o m Engl and,

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e mbo di e dt he s et woi nt e r l o c ki ngpr i nc i pl e s ,whi c hul t i mat e l ypr o hi bi t sp ar t i al i t y andf o s t e r si mpar t i al i t y . Same ;Sa me ;Vi e wt hatast heJ udi c i a landBa rCo unc i l( JBC)s e l e c t i o npr o c e s si sa s uig e ne r i spr o c e e di ng ,noe x i s t i ngj ur i s pr ude nt i als t andar dc ande fini t i v e l ybeus e d asj udi c i alpr e c e de ntf o rt heduepr o c e s sr e qui r e di nt hes e l e c t i o n pr o c e s s. —Ast he JBC s el ec t i on pr oc es si sa s uig e ne r i s pr o c e e di ng ,no e x i s t i ng j ur i s p r ude nt i a l s t a ndar dc a nde fini t i v e l yb eus e da sj udi c i alpr e c e de ntf o rt heduepr o c e s sr e q ui r e d i nt hes e l e c t i o np r o c e s s .But ,a tt hev e r yl e a s t ,t hemo s tr u di me nt a r ya s pe c to f p r o c e d ur a ld uep r o c e s ss h o ul da pp l y :t he r es h o ul db eme a ni ng f ulo p po r t uni t yt o p r e s e n to n e ’ sc a s ea nd t he c o n s i d e r a t i o n mus tb ema de b ya ni mp ar t i a lj ud g e . Unf o r t una t e l y ,ne i t he ro ft he s eas p e c t sha db e e no b s e r v e di nt hepr e s e n tc a s e .On t hec o nt r a r y ,wha tapp e ar sf r o mt her e c o r dso n ac o l l e c t i v er e a di ngo fs e e mi ng l y di s par a t ei nc i de nt s ,i sade t e r mi ne de ffo r tt odi s c r e di tJar de l e z a’ si nt e gr i t ywi t ho ut g i v i nghi mt hebe ne fito fi mpa r t i a lc o n s i de r a t i o n. Sa me ;Sa me ;Vi e wt ha tt hep r o c e e di ng sb e f o r et heJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l( JBC) s ho we dt hats o meo fi t sme mbe r swe r eawar et hato ppo s i t i o nt o an appl i c ant ’ s i nc l us i o ni nt hes h o r tl i s tand hi sr e s po ns et he r e t os ho ul db ei n wr i t i ng. —The s e l e c t i v ea ppl i c a t i o no ft he J BC’ sr ul e si sa l s ohi g hl ys us p e c t .The pr o c e e di ng s b e f o r et heJ BC s ho we dt ha ts o meo fi t sme mb e r swe r ea wa r et ha to p po s i t i o nt oa n appl i c a nt ’ si nc l us i o ni nt hes ho r tl i s tandhi sr e s po ns et he r e t os ho ul db ei nwr i t i ng . TheJ BC,upo nCJ Se r e n o’ si ns i s t e nc e ,c ho s et oi g no r et hi sr ul e— whi c he mbo di e d pr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s s— f o rt hes o l er e a s o nt ha ti two ul db e“ me s s y . ” Sa me ;Sa me ;Vi e wt hato nc et hedi s c r e e tb a c k g r o und i n v e s t i g a t i o n pr o duc e san o p po s i t i o n t ot he a pp l i c a t i o n, t he n s uc h o p po s i t i o n s ho ul d b ei n wr i t i ng. — Admi t t e dl y ,bo t hJBC009andJBC010al l o wt hec o nduc to fadi s c r e e tbac kgr o und i nf o r ma t i o no nt he a pp l i c a nt .I ti s my v i e w,ho we v e r ,t ha t once t he di s cre et background i nves t i gat i on producesan opposi t i on t ot heappl i cat i on,t hen s uchoppos i t i on s houl dbei nwri t i ng.Tr u e ,t heJBC ha st hedi s c r e t i o nt omo t u pr o pr i o e nt e r t a i no rdi s c ar dano ppo s i t i o n.Tha ti st hei mpo r to ft hewo r d‘ ma y ’i n

Se c t i o n3 ,Rul e4 B . utr e gar dl e s soft heJBC’ sac t i on ori nac t i on t oi t,t he opposi t i ons houl dbei nwri t i ng.Bo t hSe c t i o n3 ,Rul e4o fJ BC0 09andSe c t i o n2 o fJ BC0 1 0

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r e q ui r et hatano ppo s i t i o no rc o mpl ai ntag ai ns tanappl i c a ntbei nwr i t i ng ,whi l et he l a t t e re v e nr e q ui r e st ha tt hi sb es uppo r t e db ya nne x e s . I ns ho r t ,t heJBCc a nr e c e i v e ano ppo s i t i o nt oanappl i c a t i o no nl yi fi ti si nwr i t i ng ,andc a nno tc ho o s et or e c e i v e v er b alo bj e c t i o ns . Same ;Vi e wt hats i nc et heJudi c i a la ndBarCo unc i l ’ s( JBC’ s )mai nf unc t i o ni st o r e c o mme ndappo i nt e e st ot hej udi c i ar y ,t hi sc o ns t i t ut i o nalde s i g nwasputi npl ac ei n o r de rt or e i nf o r c ea no t he rc o ns t i t ut i o na lma nda t eg r a nt e dt ot heSup r e meCo ur t ( SC) :i t sadmi ni s t r a t i v es upe r v i s i o no v e ral lc o ur t sandpe r s o nne lt he r e o f. —TheJ BC i sund e rt hes up e r v i s i o n,no tj us to fame mb e ro ft heSup r e meCo ur tb uto ft hi s Co ur ta sac o l l e g i a lb o dy . Si nc et heJBC’ sma i nf unc t i o ni st or e c o mme nda ppo i nt e e s t ot hej udi c i ar y ,t hi sc o ns t i t ut i o nalde s i g n wasputi n pl ac ei no r d ert or e i nf o r c e a no t he rc o n s t i t ut i o n al ma nd a t e g r a nt e d t o t hi s Co u r t :i t s a dmi ni s t r a t i v e s upe r v i s i o no v e ral lc o ur t sandpe r s o nne lt he r e o f . Same ;Mandamus ;Vi e w t hatt he Supr e meCo ur t( SC)c annoti s s ue a wr i to f ma nda must oc o mp e lt heJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l( JBC)t oi nc l udeJa r de l e z ai n t hes ho r tl i s t ,s i nc emandamusc a no nl yb edi r e c t e dt oo bl i g et hepe r f o r manc eo fa mi ni s t e r i ala c t ;Thede c i s i o nt oi nc l udea par t i c ul arc a ndi dat ei nt hes ho r tl i s to f no mi ne e si sadi s c r e t i o nar yac t i o no nt hepar to ft heJBC. —Compel l i ngt heJBC t o e x er c i s ei t sdi s c r e t i o no fi nc l udi ngape r s o ni nal i s to fno mi ne e s ,ho we v e r , i sano t he r ma t t e r .TheCo ur tc a nno ti s s ueawr i to fmandamust oc o mp e lt heJ BC t oi nc l ud e J ar d e l e z ai nt he s ho r tl i s t ,s i nc e mandamusc a no nl yb e di r e c t e dt oo b l i g et he p e r f o r ma nc eo fa mi ni s t e r i a la c t .On t he c o nt r a r y ,t he d e c i s i o nt oi nc l ud ea par t i c ul arc a ndi dat ei nt hes ho r tl i s to fno mi ne e si sadi s c r e t i o nar yac t i o no nt he p ar to ft heJ BC. Pe r a l t a, J. , Se p ar at eOpi ni o n: Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;DuePr o c e s s ;Vi e wt hatSo l i c i t o rGe ne r alJar de l e z awas undul yde p r i v e do fhi sr i g htt oduepr o c e s si nt hepr o c e e di ng sbe f o r et heJudi c i aland BarCo unc i l( JBC)and,f ur t he r ,t heSupr e meCo ur t ’ s( SC’ s )c o ns t i t ut i o nalpo we ro f

s upe r v i s i o no v e rt heJBCmus tbeuphe l d. —Af t e rg o i ngo v e ra ndp o nd e r i ngup o nt he po ne nc i aa ndt heo pi ni o nso ft heo t he rJ us t i c e s ,Ia mr e g i s t e r i ngmy c o nc u r r e n c e wi t ht heo p i ni o no fmye s t e e me dc o l l e a gue

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J us t i c eJ o s eCa t r a lMe nd o z aa nd,l i ke wi s e ,a do p tt hes e p a r a t ec o nc ur r i ngo p i ni o ns o fmy r e s p e c t e dc o l l e a g ue sJ us t i c e sTe r e s i t a Le o n ar d o DeCa s t r oa nd Ar t ur oD. Br i o n.Ve r i l y ,So l i c i t o rGe ne r alJ ar de l e z awa sundul yde pr i v e do fhi sr i g htt odue pr o c e s si nt hepr o c e e di ng sbe f o r et heJ BC a nd,f ur t he r ,t heCo ur t ’ sc o ns t i t ut i o na l p o we ro fs u pe r v i s i o no v e rt heJ BCmus tb eup he l d . Leonen, J D . ,i s s e nt i ngOpi ni o n: Judi c i aland BarCo unc i l ;Judg e s ;Vi e wt hati ti st heJudi c i aland BarCo unc i l ( JBC)t hatde t e r mi ne st hee x t e nto fc o mpe t e nc e ,i nde p e nde nc e ,pr o bi t y ,andi nt e g r i t y t hats h o ul db epo s s e s s e db yanappl i c a ntb e f o r eheo rs h ei si nc l ude di nt hel i s to f no mi ne e spr e par e df o rt hePr e s i de nt . —TheCo ns t i t ut i o ng r a nt st ot heJudi c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i lt hes o l eande x c l us i v epo we rt ov e tno to nl yt hequa l i fic a t i o nsbuta l s o t he fit ne s so fa ppl i c a nt st ot hi sc o ur t .I ti st he J udi c i a la nd Ba r Co unc i lt ha t de t e r mi ne st he e x t e nto fc o mp e t e nc e ,i nde p e nde nc e ,pr o b i t y ,a nd i nt e g r i t yt ha t s h o ul db ep o s s e s s e db ya na pp l i c a ntb e f o r eheo rs hei si nc l ud e di nt hel i s to f no mi ne e spr e p ar e df o rt hePr e s i de nt .Byc o ns t i t ut i o na ld e s i g n,t hi sc o ur ts ho ul d wi s e l yr e s i s tt e mpt at i o nst opar t i c i pat e ,di r e c t l yo ri ndi r e c t l y ,i nt heno mi nat i o nand a ppo i nt me ntp r o c e s so fa nyo fi t sme mb e r s .I nr e a l i t y ,no mi na t i o nt ot hi sc o ur t c a r r i e swi t hi tt hepo l i t i c a landpe r s o na lp r e s s ur e sf r o mt hes uppo r t e r so fs t r o n g c o nt e nd e r s .Thi sc o ur ti swi s e l ys h ad e df r o m t he s es t r e s s e s .Wekno wt ha tt he q ua l i t yo ft her ul eo fl a wi sr e d uc e dwhe na n yme mb e ro ft hi sc o u r ts uc c umb st o p r e s s u r e . Co ns t i t ut i o na lLa w;Se p ar a t i o no fPo we r s ;Vi e w t ha tt he s e p ar a t i o no fp o we r s i nhe r e nt i n our Cons t i t ut i on i sa r at i onal c hec k agai ns t abus e and t he mo no p o l i z a t i o no fal ll e g a lpo we r s. —The s epar at i on ofpower si nher enti n our Co ns t i t ut i o ni sar a t i o na lc he c ka ga i ns ta bus eandt hemo no po l i z a t i o no fa l ll e g al po we r s .Wes h o ul dno tn ul l i f ya nya c to fa nyc o ns t i t ut i o na lo r g a n unl e s st he r ei s gr a v ea bus eo fd i s c r e t i o n.Thebr e a c ho fac o ns t i t ut i o nalpr o v i s i o ns ho ul dbec l e ar l y s h o wn a ndt hene c e s s i t yf o rt hede c l a r a t i o no fnul l i t ys h o ul db ec o mpe l l i ng .An y

do ubts ho ul dt r i g ge rj udi c i a lr e s t r a i nt ,no ti nt e r v e nt i o n.Do ubt ss ho ul dber e s o l v e d i nde f e r e n c et ot hewi s d o ma ndpr e r o g at i v eo fc o e q ualc o ns t i t ut i o na lo r g a ns .

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Same ; Same ; Judi c i al and Bar Counci l ; Vi e w t hat t her ei s not hi ng i nt he Co ns t i t ut i o n whi c h al l o wst heSupr e meCo ur t( SC)t oi nt e r f e r ewi t ht heCo unc i l ’ s e x e r c i s eo fi t sdi s c r e t i o ni nt hee x e c ut i o no fi t sc o ns t i t ut i o nalmandat e. —Ther ei s no t hi ngi nt heCo ns t i t ut i o nwhi c ha l l o wst h i sc o u r tt oi nt e r f e r ewi t ht heCo unc i l ’ s e x er c i s eo fi t sdi s c r e t i o ni nt hee xe c ut i o no fi t sc o ns t i t ut i o nalmandat e .Atmo s t , t hi s c o ur t ’ ss upe r vi s i o ni sme r e l yadmi ni s t r a t i v e . Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;Vi e wt hatt heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l( JBC)c o r r e c t l y unde r s c o r e st hati t spr o c e e di ng si sne i t he rj udi c i alno rquas i j udi c i ali n nat ur e. — TheJudi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lc o r r e c t l yunde r s c o r e st ha ti t spr o c e e di ng si sne i t he r j udi c i alno r quas i j udi c i ali n nat ur e .An admi ni s t r at i v e bo dy i s de e me dt o be e x e r c i s i ngj udi c i alo rq uas i j udi c i alf unc t i o nswhe ni ti saut ho r i z e dt oadj udi c a t e upo nt her i g ht sando bl i g at i o nso ft hepar t i e sbe f o r ei t .I tmus tha v ebo t hj udi c i al di s c r e t i o nandt heaut ho r i t yt or e nde rj udg me ntt ha ta ffe c t st hepa r t i e s . Sa me ;Vi e wt ha tt hepr i nc i p alr o l eo ft heJudi c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i l( JBC)i st o r e c o mme ndappo i nt e e st ot hej udi c i ar y ;The r ei sno t hi ngi nt hi sf unc t i o nt hatmak e s i ta q uas i j udi c i alo ffic eo rag e nc y. —The p r i nc i p alr o l eo ft he J ud i c i a la nd Ba r Co unc i li st or e c o mme nda ppo i nt e e st ot hej udi c i ar y .I ts e r v e sasac o n s t i t ut i o na l b o dyt ha ts c r u t i ni z e sa pp l i c a nt sandr e c o mme nd st ot hePr e s i d e ntno to nl yt ho s e whoa r equa l i fie db ut ,i ni t sd i s c r e t i o n,t hemo s tfita mo ngt hea pp l i c a nt st ob e i nc l ud e di n as h o r tl i s tf r o m whi c ht hePr e s i d e ntc a n ma keap po i nt me nt st ot he j udi c i ar y .The r ei sno t hi ngi nt hi sf unc t i o nt hatmake si taquas i j udi c i alo ffic eo r a g e n c y . Co ns t i t ut i o na lLa w;Ma nda mus ;Vi e wt ha tt hede t e r mi na t i o nb yt heJudi c i a la nd BarCo unc i l( JBC)o ft heq ual i fic at i o nsandfit ne s so fappl i c ant sf o rpo s i t i o nsi nt he j udi c i ar yi sno tami ni s t e r i aldut y ;Mandamusc anno tc o mpe lt heame ndme nto fany l i s tal r e a dyt r ans mi t t e d,andi tc a nno tb emadea v ai l ab l et oc o mpe lt heCo unc i lt o t r a ns mi tanameno ti nt heo r i g i nall i s t . —Thed e t e r mi na t i o nb yt heJ ud i c i a la ndBa r Co unc i lo ft hequal i fic a t i o nsandfit ne s so fappl i c a nt sf o rpo s i t i o nsi nt hej udi c i ar yi s

no tami ni s t e r i aldut y .I ti sc o ns t i t ut i o nal l ypar to fi t sdi s c r e t i o n Ma . ndamus c anno t c ompelt he amendmentofany l i s tal r eady t r ans mi t t ed,and i tc anno tbemade a v ai l abl et oc o mpe lt heCo unc i lt ot r a ns mi tanameno ti nt heo r i g i nall i s t .

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Same ;Vi e wt hatt heab s e nc eo fan yo b j e c t i o nb yt heme mb e r so ft heCo unc i l ,o r al l y andi nt hel e t t e ro ft r a ns mi t t als ubmi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de nt ,s ho ul dc o nc l us i v e l ys ho w t hatt hemanne ro fs e l e c t i o n and t her e s u l t swe r eac c e p t e db yal lc o nc e r n e d. —The a bs e nc eo fan yo b j e c t i o nb yt heme mbe r so ft heCo unc i l ,o r a l l ya ndi nt hel e t t e ro f t r a ns mi t t a ls u bmi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de nt ,s h o ul dc o nc l us i v e l ys h o wt ha tt hema nne r o fs e l e c t i o na nd t he r e s ul t s we r ea c c e p t e db ya l lc o nc e r ne d . Agai n,i tbe ar s re peat i ng,t hatt heshortl i s tt rans mi t t edt ot heOfficeoft hePre s i dentwas s i gne d by al lt he me mber s of t he Counci l wi t hout exc e pt i on, t he r e by e xpr e s s i ngt he i runani mi t yast oi t sc ont e nt s Ma . ndamus ,t he r e f o r e,do esno tl i e t oame ndt hi sl i s t . Gr a v eAb us eo fDi s c r e t i o n;Vi e wt hatas h o wi ngo fg r a v eab us eo fdi s c r e t i o ns h o ul d r e f e rt o a de mo ns t r ab l yc l e a rbr e a c ho fa c o n s t i t ut i o naldut yt hati s“ ar b i t r a r y , c a pr i c i o usandwhi ms i c a l . ” —As ho wi ngo fg r av eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o ns ho ul dr e f e rt oa de mo ns t r a bl yc l e a rbr e ac ho fac o ns t i t ut i o naldut yt hati s“ ar bi t r ar y ,c apr i c i o usand whi ms i c a l . ”Our c o ns t i t ut i o na ldut ya nd p o we ro fr e v i e w i s no tt oa c c e p tt he ar g ume nt so fpe t i t i o ne rbe c aus ei ti spl aus i bl e .Judi c i alr e v i e wi sal s ono tal i c e ns et o i mpo s eo uro wnpl aus i b l ei nt e r pr e t at i o no ft her ul e so ft heCo unc i lo v e rt he i ro wn. Judi c i alr e v i e wr e q ui r e sasan abs o l ut epr e di c at e ,a s ho wi ng t hatt heCo unc i l ’ s i nt e r pr e t at i o nandappl i c at i o no fi t sr ul e si ss obe r e f to fr e as o nands oi mpl aus i bl e. We do not anal y z et he c oge ncy of t he ar gume nt s of pet i t i oner or t he i nt er pr e t at i on t hatwewoul d haveputhadwebee ni nt heCounci l .Rat her , t he mode ofanal ys i si n our exer ci s e ofj udi ci alr e vi ew i st os crut i ni ze whe t her t her e are no vi abl er e as onabl e bas e sf or t he i nt e rpre t at i on, appl i c at i o , n andact i onsoft heJudi ci alandBarCounci l . Judi c i aland BarCo unc i l ;Vi e wt hatanyame ndme ntt ot her ul e so ft heCo unc i l t hr o ug ho ur i nt e r pr e t at i o ng i v e nt he p ar t i e si mpl e a de di nt hi sc a s es ho ul db e pr o s pe c t i v eandappl i c abl eo nl yt of ut ur epr o c e s s e sf o rno mi nat i o nandappo i nt me nt t oo urc o ur t s . —An yc ha ng ei nt hei nt e r pr e t a t i o no ft her ul e so ft heCo unc i ls h o ul d no ti ne q ui t a bl ypr e j udi c et hi r dpar t i e swhor e l i e do nt hee x i s t e nc eoft he s er ul e s .

Pe t i t i o ne rwasno tt hes o l eappl i c a ntt ot hepo s i t i o nv ac a t e db yt her e t i r e me nto fa me mb e ro ft hi sc o ur t .The r ea r ef o ur( 4 )i nd i v i d ua l st ha tp as s e dt he Co unc i l ’ s de t e r mi na t i o no fq ua l i fic a t i o nsandfit ne s si nt hel i s tt r a ns mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de nt . The r ea r e

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s i x( 6 )o t he ri ndi v i dua l swhodi dno tma kei tt ot hel i s t .Thus , e v e ni fwea s s ume , wi t ho utc o n c e di ng ,t ha tt he r e wa s“ g r a v ea bus eo fdi s c r e t i o n” o nt he p ar to f r e s p onde nt s ,i twi l lb ebo t hi ne q ui t abl eand a v i o l at i o no ft her i g ht so ft heo t he r a pp l i c a nt sand t heo t he rno mi ne e st os i mp l yr e q ui r et heame ndme nto ft hel i s t t r ans mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de nt .Pe t i t i o ne rc ho s eno tt oi mpl e a dt he m.The ydi d no t b e ne fi tf r o m ano ppo r t uni t yt obehe a r db yt hi sc o ur t . nyame A ndme ntt ot her ul e s oft heCounci lt hr ough ouri nt er pre t at i on gi ve nt hepart i esi mpl eaded i n t hi s case s houl d, t hus , be pr os pec t i ve and appl i cabl e onl yt of ut ur e pr oc e s s e sf ornomi nat i onandappoi nt me ntt oourc our t s. Same ; Vi e wt hatt her ul e so ft heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l( JBC)i si t si nt e r pr e t at i o n ast oho wi ti st og oab outwi t hi t sdut yt ode t e r mi net he“ c o mpe t e n c e ,i nt e g r i t y , pr o bi t yandi nde pe nde nc e ”t hati sc o ns t i t ut i o nal l yr e q ui r e do fe v e r yme mbe rt ot he Supr e meCo ur t( SC) . —Ther ul e so ft heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i li si t si nt e r pr e t at i o n a st oho wi ti st og oa bo utwi t hi t sdut yt ode t e r mi net he“ c o mpe t e nc e ,i nt e g r i t y , pr o b i t yandi nde pe nde nc e ”t ha ti sc o ns t i t ut i o na l l yr e q ui r e do fe v e r yme mb ert ot hi s c o u r t .Ho wt he Co u nc i lg oa b o utwi t hi t sd ut yi sp r i ma r i l ya nd p r e s ump t i v e l y a ddr e s s e dt oi ts o l e l ya sa ni nde pe nde ntc o ns t i t ut i o na lo r g ana t t ac he do nl yt ot hi s c o ur tt hr o ug ha dmi ni s t r a t i v es u pe r v i s i o n.The c o ns t i t ut i o na lpr o v i s i o ns do no t r e q u i r ea v o t er e q ui r e me n to nt he p ar to ft he me mb e r sf o ra find i ng o fe i t he r c o mpe t e nc e ,i nt e gr i t y ,pr o bi t y ,o ri nde pe nde nc e .Ne i t he rdo e si tt e x t ual l ypr o v i def o r t heme a ni ng o ft he s et e r ms .I ti sup t ot heJ ud i c i a la nd Ba rCo u nc i lt ofind a r e a s o na bl ec o ns t r u c t i o no ft hef unda me nt a lr e q ui r e me nt s . Same ;Vi e wt hatt heJudi c i a landBa rCo unc i l( JBC)i st heo nl yc o ns t i t ut i o nalb o dy wi t ht hepo we rt oi nt e r pr e ti t sr ul e st ode t e r mi net hec o mpe t e nc e ,i nt e g r i t y ,pr o b i t y , andi nde p e nde n c eo fappl i c a nt st ot hej udi c i ar y. —Thei nt e r p r e t a t i o no fa nyo ft he Co unc i l ’ sr ul e si sc o ns t i t ut i o nal l yaddr e s s e dt ot heCo unc i l ’ sdi s c r e t i o n.I ti st heonl y c o n s t i t ut i o n albo d y wi t ht he p o we rt oi nt e r p r e ti t sr ul e st od e t e r mi ne t he c o mpe t e nc e ,i nt e gr i t y ,pr o b i t y ,andi nde pe nde nc eo fa ppl i c a nt st ot hej udi c i ar y .We

c a nno ts up e r i mpo s et hi sc o ur t ’ si nt e r pr e t a t i o ne v e ni fi no urvi e wi two ul db ea be t t e ro ne . Same ;I nt e g r i t y ;Vi e wt hatt heac t swhi c hl e a dt oq ue s t i o nsr e l at i ngt oi nt e g r i t yma y b edi ffe r e n tf o re ac hc a ndi dat e. —Ther ei s

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no t hi ng i nhe r e nt l y unc o ns t i t ut i o na l wi t ht he l a c ko fs t a t ut o r yo rp r o c e d ur a l d e fini t i o no fi nt e g r i t y .Thi sr e ma i nswi t hi nt he p ur v i e wo ft he me mb e r so ft he Co unc i l .I ti sama t t e rt ha ti sad dr e s s e dt ot he i rr e a s o ne dj ud gme nt .TheJ udi c i a l a nd Ba r Co unc i li sd e s i g ne dt oa c tc o l l e g i a l l y .Thi si swhe r ec o nt e nd i ng v i e ws c o mi ngf r o mv a r i o uss e c t o r sa ffe c t e db ye v e r yno mi na t i o na ndr e p r e s e nt e di nt he di s c us s i o nsma ybet a ke ni nt oc o ns i de r a t i o n.I nt e gr i t yc a nme a ndi ffe r e n tt hi ng sf o r di ffe r e ntp e o pl e .Li kea l ls i g ni fic a ntwo r d s ,i tha sas u ffic i e nts e to fme a ni ng st ha t c a nf r a mee x pe c t a t i o nsb uta tt hes a met i mei sl e f tma l l e a bl et oadd r e s st hene e d s a tpr e s e nt .Theac t swhi c hl e a dt oque s t i o nsr e l at i ngt oi nt e g r i t yma yb edi ffe r e n t f o re ac hc a ndi da t e .Thus ,t hepa s ta c t i o nso faJ us t i c eo ft heCo ur to fAppe a l s ,a So l i c i t o rGe ne r a l ,o raDe a no faCo l l e g eo fLa w whoi sas p i r i ngf o rt hepo s i t i o no f As s o c i at eJus t i c eo ft hi sc o ur tt hatwi l lbeas s e s s e db yt heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l wi l lbedi ffe r e nt . Same ;Same ;Vi e wt hati ti st heq ual i t yo fi nt e g r i t yo fe a c hme mbe rt hati ns p i r e su s t ohav et hec o ur a g et ous eo urc o ns t i t ut i o naldut yt os pe a kt opo we r. —I nt hi sc o ur t ,i t i st heq ual i t yo fi nt e gr i t yo fe ac hme mbe rt hati ns pi r e sust oha v et hec o ur a g et ous e o u rc o n s t i t ut i o n ald ut yt os p e a kt op o we r .We s p e a kt op o we rwhe t he rt hi si s s o ur c e df o r ma l l yf r o mt heaut ho r i t yo ft heCo ns t i t ut i o no ri nf o r ma l l ywhe ni tc o me s f r o mt hepo l i t i c a li nflue nc e ,c o mme r c i als t andi ng ,o rt heabi l i t yo fapar t y ,l i t i g ant , o rl a wy e rt omo l dme di ao pi ni o n.Whi l et he o r e t i c a l l yandc o ns t i t ut i o na l l ypr o t e c t e d, wear ehoundedbyt hesamehumanf ear sasanyper s onoc c upyi ngapubl i coffic e. Wea l lkno wt ha twed i s g r a c et hep r i v i l e g eo fo u ro ffic ei fwes uc c umbt of e a ro r f a v o r . Co ns t i t ut i o nalLa w;DuePr o c e s s ;Vi e wt hatb e f o r et heduepr o c e s sc l aus eo ft he Co ns t i t ut i o n ma yb ei nv o k e d,t he r emus tfi r s tb ean e nc r o a c hme ntt oo ne ’ s“ l i f e , l i be r t y ,o rpr o pe r t y . ” —Be f o r et hed uep r o c e s sc l a us eo ft heCo n s t i t ut i o n ma yb e i nv o ke d,t he r emus tfir s tbea ne nc r o ac hme ntt oo ne ’ s“ l i f e ,l i b e r t y ,o rpr o p e r t y . ” Pe t i t i o n e rc a r r i e st he b ur d e no fs ho wi ng t ha tan a c to fg o v e r nme n ta ffe c t sa n i ndubi t abl eve s t e dr i g htpr o t e c t e db yt heCo ns t i t ut i o n.

Same ;Same ;Judg e s ;Vi e wt hatano mi nat i o ni sno tar i g htt hati sp r o t e c t e db yt he duepr o c e s sc l aus eo ft heCo ns t i t ut i o n. —Nop e r s o n ha sa c o ns t i t ut i o na l l yv e s t e d r i g htt ob e no mi na t e dt oa j ud i c i a lp o s i t i o n.J us tb e c a us ea p e r s o n me e t st he q ua l i fic a t i o nsdo e sno t

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e n t i t l ehi mo rh e rt oano mi na t i o n .TheJud i c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i lmus tr e n de ra findi ngo fhi so rhe rfit ne s swhi c hr e s u l t si nt hei nc l us i o no fhi so rhe rna mei nt he l i s t .A no mi na t i o ni sno tar i g htt hati spr o t e c t e db yt heduepr o c e s sc l a us eo ft he Co ns t i t ut i o n.I ti sr a t he rapr i v i l e g egr a nt e dt oo newhohass uc c e s s f ul l ypas s e dt he a ppl i c a t i o npr o c e s sa ndha squa l i fie d.Theat t a i nme nto ft hema j o r i t yvo t eo fCo unc i l me mb e r si sno ta n“ a bs o l ut e ,unc o ndi t i o na l ,a ndp e r f e c to rfix e da ndi r r e f ut a bl e ” bas i st ogar ne rapl ac ei nt hes ho r tl i s t .Asdi s c u s s e d,unde rt hepr e s e ntr ul e s ,whe n i nt e g r i t yi sa ts t a ke ,t hev o t er e q ui r e me ntma yb euna ni mi t yi nt hev o t eo ft he r emai ni ngmember se xc l udi ngt hememberwhoi nvokedRul e10,Sec t i on2oft he r ul e so ft heJudi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l .Mo r e o v e r ,t hel i s to fq ual i fie dc a ndi da t e si s s t i l ls ubj e c tt ot hefinalde l i be r at i o no ft heCo unc i li nane x ec ut i v es e s s i o nbe f o r et he l i s ti ss ub mi t t e dt ot heOffic eo ft hePr e s i de nt . Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;DuePr o c e s s ;Vi e wt hatf o rappl i c ant st oav ac anc yi nt he Sup r e meCo ur t( SC)a ndi nt hep r o c e s so ft heJudi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l( JBC) ,t he r i g htt obec o ns i de r e df o rpur p o s e so fanas s e s s me nto fhi so rhe rq ual i fic a t i o nsa nd fit ne s sal s oc e r t ai nl ydo e sno tr e q ui r eaf o r um f o rc r o s s e x ami nat i o n. —Fa i r ne s sa s e mb o di e di nt heduepr o c e s sc l a us eo ft heCo ns t i t ut i o nt a ke si t sf o r mi nr e l a t i o nt o t her i g hti n v o ke da ndt hef o r u m whe r ei ti si nv o k e d.Ce r t a i nl y ,whe nt heac c us e d i nv o ke shi so rhe rr i g hti nc r i mi na lt r i a l ,t hi st a ke st hef o r ma mo ngo t he r so ft he r i g htt of ul l bl o wnc r o s s e x ami nat i o no fal lwi t ne s s e spr e s e nt e db yt hepr o s e c ut i o n. Fo ra p pl i c a nt st oav a c a nc yi nt heSupr e meCo ur ta ndi nt hepr o c e s so ft heJ udi c i a l a ndBa rCo unc i l ,t her i g htt obec o ns i de r e df o rp ur p o s e so fa na s s e s s me nto fhi so r he rqua l i fic a t i o nsa nd fit ne s sal s oc e r t a i nl y do e sno tr e q ui r ea f o r um f o rc r o s s e x a mi na t i o n.TheCo unc i li sp o s s e s s e dwi t hawi del a t i t udet odr a wi nf o r ma t i o ns o t hati tma y ,c o ns i s t e ntwi t hi t sc o ns t i t ut i o naldut y ,makeas e l e c t i o no fatl e as tt hr e e ( 3 )na me sf r o m afie l do fs oma nyap pl i c a nt s . DuePr o c e s s ;Pr o c e dur alDuePr o c e s s ;Vi e wt hatpe t i t i o ne r ’ si ns i s t e nc e ,t he r e f o r e ,t hat t heCo unc i lmus tadhe r et oapr o c e dur ehes ug ge s t e d,us i nghi si nt e r pr e t at i o no ft he Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ’ s( JBC’ s )o wnr ul e s ,g o e sb e y o ndt hemi ni mum r e q ui r e db y

j ur i s pr ude nc e . —Thee s s e nc eo fp r o c e d ur a ld uep r o c e s si ss i mp l yt her i g htt ob e he a r d .Pe t i t i o ne r ’ si ns i s t e nc e ,t he r e f o r e ,t ha tt he Co unc i lmus tadhe r et oa p r o c e d u r ehe s ug ge s t e d,us i nghi s i nt e r pr e t at i o no ft he

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Judi c i aland Bar Counc i l ’ so wn r ul es ,go es be yo nd t he mi ni mum r equi r ed by j ur i s pr ude nc e . Same ;Judi c i aland Bar Counc i l ;Vi e w t hat t he Counc i lmay r e c e i ve wr i t t e n o p po s i t i o nandma yr e q ui r et hea ppl i c antt oc o mme nto nt heo p po s i t i o n.Theus eo f t hewo r d“ ma y ”i spe r mi s s i v e ,no tma nda t o r y. —The Co unc i lma yr e c e i v e wr i t t e n y o p po s i t i o na ndma r e q ui r et heap pl i c a ntt oc o mme nto nt heo ppo s i t i o n.Theus eo f t hewo r d“ ma y ”i sp er mi s s i v e ,no tma nda t o r y .TheCo unc i lr e t a i nst hedi s c r e t i o nt o r e q ui r et ha to ppo s i t i o nb e wr i t t e n.I tal s or e t a i nst he di s c r e t i o n no tt or e q ui r e c ommenton any oft heoppos i t i on fil ed.Thi smay appl y when t he basi soft he o p po s i t i o ni st o ot r i v i a lo rwhe nt heme mb e r sd e t e r mi net ha tt he ya r eal r e a dy po s s e s s e dwi t hs u ffic i e nti nf o r ma t i o nne c e s s a r yf o rt he mt ov o t et he i rpr e f e r e nc e s . Butt hi si sno twha th app e ne di nt hi sc a s e . Same ;Same ;Vi e wt hatt her e l uc t anc eo ft heChi e fJus t i c e( CJ)t oputt hemat t e ri n wr i t i ngwasr e as o n ab l ec o ns i de r i ngt hati twasamat t e ro fnat i o nals e c ur i t y. —The r e l uc t a nc eo ft he Chi e fJ us t i c et op utt he ma t t e ri n wr i t i ng wa sr e a s o n ab l e c o n s i de r i ngt hati twa sama t t e ro fnat i o na ls e c ur i t y .Ac c o r d i ngt ot h emi nut e so f t hee x e c ut i v es e s s i o nhe l do nJ une3 0,2 0 14 ,“ t heMe mb e r sag r e e dt ha ti ti sbe s t t hatt hi sbeke p ta sc o n fide nt i a la spo s s i b l et oa v o i dpr o b l e msf o rt hec o u nt r y . ”The c o nfide nt i a l i t yob s e r v e db yt heCo unc i lwa sno tf o rt hepur p o s eo fde ny i ngpe t i t i o ne r hi sr i g ht s . TheCo unc i lme r e l yhadt hebe s ti nt e r e s t so ft hena t i o ni nmi nd. Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;Judg e s ;Vi e wt hatt hepo we rt oappo i ntme mbe r so ft he j udi c i ar yf r o m al i s to fname st r ans mi t t e dbyt heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l( JBC) i s apr e r o g at i v eo ft hePr e s i de ntwhi c hc a nno tbede l e g at e dt ot heEx e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar y. — Thepo we rt oap po i ntme mb e r so ft hej ud i c i a r yf r o m al i s to fna me st r a ns mi t t e db y t heJ ud i c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i li sa p r e r o g a t i v eo ft hePr e s i d e ntwhi c hc a nno tb e de l e g at e dt ot heEx e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar y .Thus ,f o ri s s ue sr a i s e db ype t i t i o ne randf o r t her e l i e fhepr a y sf o r ,t heEx e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar yc a nno ta c ta san a l t e re goo ft he Pr e s i de nt .

Te mp o r a r yRe s t r a i ni ngOr de r s ;Vi e wt ha tt heSup r e meCo ur t( SC)c a nno t ,b ywa yo f t e mp o r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r de r( TRO) ,de l a yt her unni ngo ft hep e r i o dmandat e db yt he Co ns t i t ut i o n. —TheCo n s t i t ut i o nma nd at e st ha tt hePr e s i d e ntma kea na pp o i nt me n t 90days

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f r o mt heo c c ur r e nc eo ft hev ac a nc y .Jus t i c eAb ad’ sr e t i r e me nto nhi sb i r t hda ywhi c h wa sMa y22 ,2 01 4c a us e dt hev ac a nc yi nt hepr e s e ntc o ur t .ThePr e s i d e nt ,t he r e f o r e , ha sunt i lAug us t2 0 ,2 0 14t oma k ea na pp o i nt me n tf o rt hev a c a n c y .A t e mp o r a r y r e s t r ai ni ngo r d e ri sa wr i ti ne q ui t ypr o v i de df o ro nl yi nt her ul e so fpr o c e dur e pr o mul g at e db yt hi sc o ur t .Thi sc o ur tc a nno t ,b ywa yo ft e mpo r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r d er , de l a yt her u nni ngo ft hepe r i o dma nd at e db yt heCo ns t i t ut i o n. Same ; Vi e wt hatt he r ei snor i g htt hate x i s t st hatc o ul dbep r o t e c t e dbyt hei s s uanc eo f at e mpo r a r yr e s t r ai ni ngo r d e r( TRO)s i nc ep e t i t i o ne rhasnov e s t e dr i g ht. —Ther ei s no r i g htt ha te x i s t st ha tc o u l db ep r o t e c t e db yt he i s s ua nc eo fa t e mp o r a r y r e s t r a i ni ngo r de rs i nc ep e t i t i o ne rha snov e s t e dr i g ht .Heha sno ts h o wn t ha the p o s s e s s e sa c l e a ra nd unmi s t a ka bl er i g ht .The r e f o r e ,t he r ei s no ma t e r i a la nd s ub s t ant i a li nv as i o nt ha tmus tb epr e v e nt e dt hr o ug hawr i tf r o mt hi sc o ur t . Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ;Vi e wt hatt ho s ewhowe r eno mi nat e dde s e r v et hebe ne fito f t hepr e s umpt i o no fc o ns t i t ut i o nal i t yo ft her ul e sunde rwhi c ht he ywe r ev e t t e d. —The pr o p err e me dywo ul dbef o rt hi sc o ur tt oo r de rt hatt hef o uri ndi v i dual sc ur r e nt l yi n t hel i s to fno mi ne e st r a ns mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de ntb ei mp l e a de da ndt heo ppo r t uni t y t obehe ar dgi v e n.The yde s e r v et obehe ar dbe f o r et hi sc o ur te v e nc o ns i de r sdi l ut i ng t he i rc hanc e so fb ei ng appo i nt e d.Al t e r nat i v e l y ,any r e l i e fs ho ul d,t he r e f o r e ,be pr o s p e c t i v eands h o ul dno ta ffe c tt he i rv e s t e dr i g ht s .As s umi ngwi t ho utc o nc e d i ng t hatt hema j o r i t ywi l lv o t et onul l i f yRul e10,Se c t i o n2o ft heRul e so ft heJudi c i al a nd Ba rCo u nc i l ,i t se ffe c t ss ho u l db ep r o s p e c t i v e .Tho s e who we r e no mi na t e d de s e r v et hebe ne fito ft hepr e s ump t i o no fc o n s t i t ut i o na l i t yo ft her ul e sunde rwhi c h t he ywe r ev e t t e d. Sa me ;Vi e wt ha tasmuc ha sp e t i t i o ne rb e l i e v e si nt hei mp o r t a nc eo fd e f e ndi ng hi ms e l fi nt hi sc o ur t ,r e s po nde nt sar eal s oe nt i t l e dt obe l i e v et hati ti si ns t i t ut i o nal l y i mpo r t antf o rt he mt ode f e ndt hei nt e g r i t yo ft heJudi c i ala ndBarCo unc i l( JBC). — I nmyv i e w,i ti st hei ns i s t e nc eo fp e t i t i o ne rno tt or e s po nddi r e c t l yt ot heo bj e c t i o ns d ur i ngt hei nc ame r a andc o nfid e nt i a ldi s c us s i o nso ft heCo unc i lo nJ une30 ,2 01 4

t ha tha sno wc a us e dbo t hs i de st ol a yb ar et he i rf ul la r g ume nt s .Sur e l y ,a smuc ha s pe t i t i o ne rbe l i e v e si nt hei mpo r t anc eo fde f e ndi nghi ms e l fi nt hi sc o ur t ,r e s p o nde nt s ar eal s oent i t l e dt o

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be l i e v et ha ti ti si ns t i t ut i o nal l yi mpo r t antf o rt he mt ode f e ndt hei nt e gr i t yo ft he J udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l .Fo rpe t i t i o ne rt oc l a i md uepr o c e s so fl a wi st hemo r e i mpo r t a ntq ue s t i o n.Fo rr e s p o nde nt s ,pe t i t i o ne rwa sa c c o r de dhi so ppo r t uni t yt obe he a r d,a ndt hemo r ei mp o r t a ntq ue s t i o ni st he r ewo ul dha v eb e e nana no ma l yi no ur ar b i t r a lc l ai ms . Same ;Vi e wt hatt heJ udi c i alandBarCo unc i l( JBC) ,b yt r ans mi t t i ngal i s twi t ho ut pe t i t i o ne r ’ sname ,hasac c e de dt ot hei nv o c at i o no fl ac ko fi nt e g r i t ybyo neo fi t s me mbe r s . —TheJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l ,b yt r a ns mi t t i ngal i s twi t ho utpe t i t i o ne r ’ s na me ,ha sa c c e d e dt ot hei n v o c a t i o no fl a c ko fi nt e g r i t yb yo neo fi t sme mb e r s . Ex c l ud i ngt hev o t eo ft heChi e fJ us t i c e ,hewa sno ta bl et og ar n e runa ni mi t yamo ng t her e ma i ni ngme mb e r so ft heCo unc i la sr e q ui r e dbyt her ul e s . SPECI ALCI VI LACTI ON i nt heSupr e meCo ur t .Ce r t i o r ar iandMandamus . Thef ac t sa r es t at e di nt heo pi ni o no ft heCo ur t . MENDOZA, J. :

Onc ea g a i n,t he Co u r ti sf a c e d wi t hac o n t r o v e r s yi n v o l v i ng t he a c t so fa n i nde pe nde ntb o dy ,whi c hi sc o ns i de r e da sac o n s t i t ut i o na li nno v a t i o n,t heJ udi c i a l andBarCounc i J l(BC) .I ti sno tt hefir s tt i met hatt heCo ur ti sc a l l e dupo nt os e t t l e l e g alq ue s t i o nss ur r o undi ngt heJBC’ se x e r c i s eo fi t sc o ns t i t ut i o nalmandat e .I n De Cas t r ov .JBC, 1t he Co u r tl a i dt or e s ti s s ue ss u c ha st he d ut yo ft he J BC t o r e c o mme nd p r o s p e c t i v e no mi ne e sf o rt he p o s i t i o no fChi e fJ us t i c ev i s àv i st he appoi nt i ng poweroft he Pr es i dent ,t he per i od wi t hi n whi c ht he s ame may be e x e r c i s e d ,a ndt heba no nmi dni g hta ppo i nt me nt sa ss e tf o r t hi nt heCo ns t i t ut i o n.I n Chave zv .JBC, 2t heCo ur tpr o v i de dane x t e ns i v edi s c o ur s eo nc o ns t i t ut i o nali nt e nt a st ot heJ BC’ sc o mp o s i t i o na ndme mb e r s hi p .

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 G. R.No .1 910 02,Apr i l2 0,2 01 0,618SCRA639. 2 G. R.No .2 022 42,J ul y1 7 ,2 01 2,676SCRA579.

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Thi st i me ,ho we v e r ,t hes e l e c t i o nandno mi na t i o npr o c e s sa c t ua l l yunde r t a ke nby t he J BC i sb e i ng c ha l l e ng e df o rb e i ng c o ns t i t ut i o na l l yi nfir m.The he a r to ft he de b at el i e sno to n l yo nt hev e r ys o u ndne s sa ndv a l i di t yo ft hea pp l i c a t i o no fJ BC r ul e sbuta l s ot hee x t e nto fi t sdi s c r e t i o nar ypo we r .Mo r es i g ni fic a nt l y ,t hi sc as eo f s ho r tl i s t fir s ti mp r e s s i o ni mpug nst hee ndr e s u l to fi t sa c t s— t he f r om whi c ht he Pr e s i de nta ppo i nt sade s e r v i ngaddi t i o nt ot heHi g he s tTr i b unalo ft hel a nd. Toad dy e ta no t he rf e a t ur eo fn o v e l t yt ot hi sc a s e ,ame mb e ro ft heCo ur t ,nol e s s t hant heChi e fJ us t i c ehe r s e l f ,wasb e i ngi mpl e ade da spar t yr e s po nde nt .

TheFact s

Thep r e s e ntc a s efind si t sg e ne s i sf r o m t hec o mp ul s o r yr e t i r e me nto fAs s o c i a t e Just i c e Robe r t o Abad A (s s o c i at e Jus t i c e Abad)l as tMay 22,2014.Bef or e hi s r e t i r e me nt ,o nMa r c h6 ,2 01 4,i na c c o r da nc ewi t hi t sr ul e s , 3t heJ BCa nno unc e dt he o pe ni ngf o ra ppl i c a t i o no rr e c o mme nda t i o nf o rt hes ai dv ac a t e dpo s i t i o n. OnMa r c h1 4 ,2 0 14 ,t heJ BC r e c e i v e dal e t t e rf r o m De a nDa ni l oCo n c e p c i o no ft he Uni v e r s i t y o ft he Phi l i p pi ne s no mi na t i ng p e t i t i o n e r Fr a nc i s H. J a r d e l e z a J de l e z a) (ar ,i nc umbe ntSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lo ft heRe publ i c ,f o rt hes ai dpo s i t i o n.Upo n a c c e p t anc eo ft heno mi na t i o n,J ar de l e z awa si nc l ude di nt hena me so fc a ndi da t e s ,a s we l la si nt he s c he d ul eo fp ub l i ci nt e r v i e ws .On Ma y2 9 ,2 0 14 ,J a r d e l e z a wa s i nt e r v i e we db yt heJ BC. I tappear sf r om t he ave r ment si nt he pet i t i on t haton June 16 and 17,2014, J ar d e l e z ar e c e i v e dt e l e pho nec a l l sf r o mf o r me rCo ur to fAppe a l sAs s o c i at eJus t i c e andi nc umbe ntJBCme mbe r ,Aur or aSant i agoLagman J ( us t i c eLag man) ,who

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3J BC0 0 9,Rul e so ft heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l ,p r o mul g a t e do nSe p t e mb e r2 3 , 2002.

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i nf o r me dhi mt ha td ur i ngt heme e t i ng she l do nJ une5a nd1 6 ,2 01 4,Chi e fJ us t i c e e xo ffic i o Chi e fJus t i c eSe r e no) andJ BC Cha i r p e r s o n,Ma r i aLo ur d e sP .A.Se r e no( , ma ni f e s t e dt ha ts hewo ul db ei n v o ki ngSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 4a g ai ns thi m. J ar d e l e z awa st he nd i r e c t e dt o“ ma kehi ms e l fa v ai l a bl e ”b e f o r et heJ BCo nJ une3 0, 2 01 4,dur i ngwhi c hhewo ul dbei nf o r me do ft heo bj e c t i o nst ohi si nt e g r i t y . Co ns e q ue nt l y ,J ar d e l e z a fil e dal e t t e r pe t i t i o n (l e t t e r pe t i t i o n) 5p r a y i ng t ha tt he Co ur t ,i nt hee x e r c i s eo fi t sc o ns t i t ut i o nalpo we ro fs upe r v i s i o no v e rt heJ BC,i s s ue a no r de r :1 )d i r e c t i ngt heJ BC t og i v ehi ma tl e a s tfiv e( 5 )wo r ki ngda y swr i t t e n no t i c eofanyhear i ngoft heJBC t owhi c h hewoul dbesummoned;andt hesai d no t i c et oc o n t a i nt he s wo r ns p e c i fic a t i o n so ft he c ha r g e sa g a i ns t hi m b y hi s o p po s i t o r s ,t he s wo r ns t a t e me nt so fs up po r t i ng wi t ne s s e s ,i fa ny ,a nd c o p i e so f d o c ume n t si ns up po r to ft hec ha r g e s ;a nd no t i c ea nd s wo r ns t a t e me n t ss ha l lb e ma depa r to ft hep ub l i cr e c o r do ft heJ BC;2 )a l l o wi nghi mt oc r o s s e x a mi nehi s o p po s i t o r sa nd s u pp o r t i ng wi t ne s s e s ,i fa ny ,a nd t he c r o s s e x a mi na t i o nt ob e c o nduc t e di n pub l i c ,unde rt hes a mec o nd i t i o nst ha ta t t e ndt hep ub l i ci nt e r v i e ws he l df o ra l lappl i c a nt s ;3)di r e c t i ngt heJBC t or e s e tt hehe a r i ngs c he dul e do nJ une 3 0,2 01 4t oano t he rd at e ;and4)di r e c t i ngt h eJ BC t odi s a l l o w Chi e fJus t i c eSe r e no f r o mp ar t i c i p at i ngi nt hev o t i ngo nJ une30 ,2 01 4o ra ta n ya dj o ur nme ntt he r e o f wher es uc h vo t e woul d be t aken f ort he nomi neesf ort he pos i t i on vac at ed by As s o c i at eJus t i c eAbad. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4 Sec t i on2. Vo t e sr e q ui r e dwhe ni nt e g r i t yofaq ual i fie dappl i c a nti sc hal l e ng e d. — I ne v e r yc a s ewhe nt hei nt e g r i t yo fa na ppl i c a ntwhoi sno to t he r wi s edi s q ua l i fie d f o rno mi na t i o ni sr a i s e do rc ha l l e ng e d,t heaffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa l lt heme mbe r so ft he Co unc i lmus tb eo b t a i ne df o rt hef a v o ur a b l ec o ns i de r a t i o no fhi sno mi na t i o n. 5 Do c ke t e d as A. M.No .140701SCJBC, Re :Jar de l e z a Fo rt he Po s i t i o no f As s o c i at eJus t i c eVac at e dByJus t i c eRo be r t oA.Abad, Ro l l o,pp.7988.

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Dur i ng t he June 30,2014 me e t i ng oft he JBC, s ans Ja r d e l e z a ,i nc umb e nt s o c i at e Jus t i c e Car pi o)appear As s o c i at e Jus t i c e Ant o ni o T.Car pi o A (s e d as a r e s o ur c e pe r s o n t o s hed l i ght o n a c l as s i fied l e ga l me mo r andum (l e g a l me mo r andum)t hatwo ul dc l ar i f yt heo bj e c t i o nt oJar d e l e z a ’ si nt e gr i t yaspo s e db y Chi e fJ us t i c e Se r e n o .Ac c o r d i ng t ot he J BC,Chi e fJ us t i c e Se r e n oq ue s t i o n e d J ar d e l e z a ’ sa bi l i t yt odi s c ha r g et hedut i e so fhi so ffic ea ss h o wn i n ac o nfid e nt i a l l e g a lme mo r a nd um o v e rh i sha nd l i ngo fa ni nt e r n at i o na la r b i t r a t i o nc a s ef o rt he go ve r nment . n t e Lat e r ,Jar d e l e z awasdi r e c t e dt oo neo ft heCo ur t ’ sa r oo mswher eDepar t mentof Just i c e Sec r e t ar y Lei l a M.De Li ma ( Se c r e t ar y De Li ma)i nf o r me d hi m t hat As s o c i at e Jus t i c e Car pi o appe ar e d be f o r et he JBC and di s c l o s e dc o nfide nt i al i nf o r mat i o nwhi c h,t oChi e fJus t i c eSe r e no ,c har a c t e r i z e dhi si nt e gr i t yasdubi o us . Af t e rt hebr i e fing ,Jar de l e z awass ummo ne db yt heJBC atar o und2: 00o ’ c l o c ki n t heaf t e r no o n. J ar d e l e z aal l e g e dt ha thewa sas k e db yChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e noi fhewa nt e dt ode f e nd hi ms e l fa ga i ns tt hei nt e g r i t yi s s ue sr a i s e da ga i ns thi m.Heans we r e dt ha thewo ul d de f e ndhi ms e l fpr o v i de dt ha td uepr o c e s swo ul db eo b s e r v e d.J ar de l e z as p e c i fic a l l y d e ma nd e dt ha tChi e fJ us t i c e Se r e n oe x e c ut ea s wo r ns t a t e me n ts p e c i f y i ng he r o b j e c t i o nsa ndt ha theb eaffo r d e dt her i g htt oc r o s s e x ami nehe ri napubl i che a r i ng . Her e q ue s t e dt ha tt hes a medi r e c t i v es ho ul da l s ob ei mpo s e do n As s o c i a t eJus t i c e Ca r p i o .Asc l a i me db yt heJBC,Re p r e s e nt a t i v eNi e lG.Tup as ,J r .a l s oma ni f e s t e d t hathewant e dt ohe a rf o rhi ms e l fJ ar de l e z a ’ se x pl anat i o no nt hemat t e r .J ar de l e z a , ho we v e r ,r e f us e da shewo ul dno tb el ul l e di nt owa i v i nghi sr i g ht s .J ar d e l e z at he n p uti nt or e c o r d a wr i t t e ns t a t e me nt 6e x p r e s s i ng hi sv i e wso nt hes i t ua t i o na nd r e q ue s t e dt heJBC t ode f e ri t sme e t i ngc o ns i de r i ngt ha tt heCo ur t EnBancwoul d me e tt hene x tda yt oac to nhi spe ndi ngl e t t e r pe t i t i o n.Att hi sj unc t ur e ,J ar d e l e z a wa se x c us e d . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I d. 6 ,atpp.3336.

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La t e ri nt heaf t e r n o o no ft hes a meda y ,a nda ppa r e nt l yde n yi ngJ ar de l e z a ’ sr e q ue s t f o rd e f e r me nto ft hepr o c e e di ng s ,t heJBCc o n t i nue di t sde l i be r a t i o nsa ndpr o c e e de d t ov o t ef o rt he no mi ne e st ob ei nc l ude di nt he s h o r tl i s t .The r e a f t e r ,t he J BC r e l e as e dt hes ub j e c ts ho r tl i s to ff o ur( 4 )no mi ne e swhi c hi nc l ude d:Apo l i na r i oD. Br us e l as , Jr .wi t hs i x( 6)v o t e s ,Jo s eC.Re y e s ,Jr .wi t hs i x( 6)v o t e s ,Mar i aGr a c i aM. Pul i do Ta nwi t hfiv e( 5 )v o t e s , a ndRe y na l doB.Da wa ywi t hf o ur( 4 )v o t e s . 7 Asme nt i o ne di nt hepe t i t i o n,ane ws pape rar t i c l ewasl at e rpubl i s he di nt heo nl i ne po r t a lo ft hePhi l i ppi neDa i l yI nq ui r e r ,s t a t i ngt ha tt heCo ur t ’ sSpo ke s man,At t y . The o d o r eTe ,r e v e a l e dt ha tt he r ewe r ea c t ua l l yfiv e( 5 )no mi ne e swhoma dei tt ot he J BC s ho r tl i s t ,b uto ne( 1 )no mi ne ec o ul dno tb ei nc l ude db ec a us eo ft hei nv o c a t i o n o fRul e1 0,Se c t i o n2o ft heJ BCr ul e s . I ni t sJul y8,2014Re s o l ut i o n,t heCo ur tno t e dJar d el e z a’ sl e t t e r pe t i t i o ni nvi e wo f t het r a ns mi t t a lo ft heJBC l i s to fno mi ne e st ot heOffic eo ft hePr e s i de nt ,“ wi t ho ut pr e j udi c et oanyr e me dyav ai l ab l ei nl a w andt her ul e st hatpe t i t i o ne rma ys t i l lwi s h t op ur s ue . ” 8 The s a i dr e s o l ut i o n wa sa c c o mp ani e db ya ne x t e n s i v e Di s s e n t i ng Opi ni o n pe nne db yAs s o c i a t eJ us t i c eAr t ur oD.Br i o n, 9e x p r e s s i nghi sr e s pe c t f ul di s a gr e e me ntast ot hepo s i t i o nt a ke nb yt hema j o r i t y .

ThePe t i t i o n

Pe r c e pt i bl ybas e do nt heaf o r e me nt i o ne dr e s o l ut i o n’ sde c l ar a t i o nast ohi sa v ai l me nt o far e me dyi nl a w,J ar d e l e z afil e dt hepr e s e ntpe t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar i andmandamus und e rRul e6 5o ft heRul e so fCo u r twi t hp r a y e rf o rt hei s s ua nc eo faTe mp o r a r y Re s t r a i ni ngOr de r( TRO) ,s e e ki ngt oc o mpe lt he

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7 I d. ,atpp.3738. 8 I d. ,atp.95. 9 I d. ,atpp.97106.

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J BC t oi nc l udehi mi nt hel i s to fno mi ne e sf o rSupr e meCo ur tAs s o c i a t eJus t i c ev i c e As s o c i at eJus t i c eAbad,o nt hegr o undst hatt heJBCandChi e fJus t i c eSe r e noac t e d i ngr a v eabus eo fd i s c r e t i o namo unt i ngt ol ac ko re x c e s so fj ur i s di c t i o ni ne x c l udi ng hi m,de s p i t eha v i ngga r ne r e das uffic i e ntnumb e ro fv o t e st oq ua l i f yf o rt hepo s i t i o n. No t abl y ,Jar d el e z a’ spe t i t i o nde c r i e st hatd es pi t et heobv i o usur g e nc yo fhi se ar l i e r l e t t e r pe t i t i o na ndi t sc o nc o mi t a ntfil i ngo nJ une2 5,2 01 4,t hes a mewa sr a ffle do nl y o nJ ul y1,2 01 4o rada ya f t e rt hec o n t r o v e r s i a lJ BC me e t i ng .Byt het i met ha thi s l e t t e r pe t i t i o nwass c he dul e df o rde l i be r at i o nb yt heCo ur tEnBanc o nJ ul y8,2 01 4, t hedi s p ut e ds h o r tl i s tha da l r e a dyb e e nt r a ns mi t t e dt ot heOffic eo ft hePr e s i d e nt . He at t r i b ut e dt hi sb e l a t e da c t i o no n hi sl e t t e r pe t i t i o nt o Chi e fJ us t i c eSe r e n o , who s ea c t i o no ns uc h ma t t e r s ,e s p e c i a l l yt ho s ei mp r e s s e d wi t h ur g e n c y ,wa s di s c r e t i o nar y . Ani nde pt hpe r us alo fJar de l e z a’ spe t i t i o nwo ul dr e v e alt hathi sr e s o r tt oj udi c i al i nt e r v ent i o nhi ng eso nt heal l e ge di l l e gal i t yo fhi se xc l us i o nf r o mt hes ho r tl i s tdue t o :1 )t hede pr i v at i o no fhi sc o ns t i t ut i o nalr i g htt oduepr o c e s s ;and2)t heJBC’ s e r r o ne o usappl i c a t i o n,i fno tdi r e c tvi o l at i o n,o fi t so wn r ul e s .Suffic ei tt os a y , Jar d el e z adi r e c t l yas c r i be st hes uppo s e dv i o l at i o no fhi sc o ns t i t ut i o nalr i ght st ot he a c t so fChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e noi nr a i s i ng o b j e c t i o nsa gai ns thi si nt e gr i t ya nd t he ma nne rb ywhi c ht heJBC a ddr e s s e dt hi sc h al l e ng et ohi sappl i c a t i o n,r e s u l t i ngi n hi sar b i t r a r ye x c l us i o nf r o mt hel i s to fno mi ne e s .

Jar de l e z a’ sPos i t i on

Fo ra b e t t e runde r s t a nd i ngo ft hea bo v epo s t ul a t e sp r o ffe r e di nt hepe t i t i o n,t he Co ur the r e unde rs uc c i nc t l ys umma r i z e sJ ar d e l e z a ’ sa r g ume nt s , a sf o l l o ws :

A.Chi efJus t i ce Ser eno and t he JBC vi ol at ed Jar del eza’ s ri ghtt o due proces si nt heevent sl eadi ngup t o and duri ngt hevot eon t hes hortl i s t l as t

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June30,2014.Whe na c c us a t i o nsa g ai ns thi si nt e g r i t ywe r ema det wi c e e , xpar t e , b yChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e no ,wi t ho uti nf o r mi nghi mo ft hena t ur ea ndc a us et he r e o fa nd wi t ho uta ffo r d i nghi ma no p po r t uni t yt obehe a r d ,J ar d e l e z awa sde p r i v e do fhi s r i g htt oduepr o c e s s .I nt ur n ,t heJBCv i o l a t e dhi sr i g htt oduepr o c e s swhe nhewa s s i mpl yo r de r e dt oma kehi ms e l fa v a i l a bl eo nt heJ une3 0,2 01 4me e t i ngandwa st o l d t ha tt heo b j e c t i o n st ohi si nt e g r i t ywo u l db ema d ekno wnt ohi mo nt hes a meda y . Apar tf r o m me r ev e r balno t i c e( by wa yo fa t e l e pho nec al l )o ft hei nv o c at i o no f Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09a ga i ns th i sa ppl i c a t i o na ndno to nt heac c us a t i o ns agai ns thi m pe rs e ,hewa sde p r i v e do fa no p po r t uni t yt omo untap r o p e rd e f e ns e ag ai ns ti t .No to nl ydi dt heJ BC f ai lt ov e nt i l at eque s t i o nso n hi si nt e gr i t ydur i ng hi sp ub l i ci nt e r v i e w,he wa sa l s od i v e s t e do fh i sr i g ht sa sa na pp l i c a ntund e r Se c t i o ns3a nd4,Rul e4 ,J BC0 09 ,t owi t : Sec t i on3. Te s t i mo nyo fp ar t i e s . —TheCo unc i lma yr e c e i v ewr i t t e no p po s i t i o nt oa n a ppl i c a nto nt hegr o undo fhi smo r a lfit ne s sa nd,ati t sdi s c r e t i o n,t heCo unc i lma y r e c e i v et het e s t i mo nyo ft heoppo s i t o ratahe a r i ngc o n duc t e df o rt hepur p o s e ,wi t h dueno t i c et ot heappl i c a ntwhos ha l lb ea l l o we dt oc r o s s e x ami net heo ppo s i t o ra nd t oo ffe rc o unt e r v ai l i nge vi de nc e . Sec t i on4. Ano ny mo usCo mpl ai nt s. —Anonymousco mpl ai nt sagai ns tanappl i c ant s h al lno tb eg i v e n duec o ur s e ,unl e s st he r ea ppe a r so ni t sf a c eapr o b ab l ec a us e s uffic i e ntt oe ng e nde rb e l i e ft hatt heal l e g at i o nsma ybet r ue .I nt hel at t e rc a s e ,t he Co unc i lma y di r e c ta d i s c r e e ti n v e s t i g at i o no rr e q ui r et hea ppl i c a ntt oc o mme nt t he r e o ni nwr i t i ngo rdur i ngt hei nt e r v i e w. Hi sl a c ko fkno wl e dg ea st ot hei de nt i t yo fhi sac c us e r s( e x c e ptf o ry e tag ai n,t he v e r b ali nf o r ma t i o nc o n v e y e dt ohi mt ha tAs s o c i a t eJ us t i c eCar p i ot e s t i fie dag ai ns t hi m)a nda st ot hena t ur eo ft hev e r yac c us a t i o n sag a i ns thi mc a us e dhi mt os u ffe r f r o mt hear b i t r a r ya c

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t i o nb yt heJBC a ndChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e no .Thel a t t e rg r a v e l ya bus e dhe rdi s c r e t i o n whe ns heac t e da spr o s e c u t o r ,wi t ne s sa ndj udg e ,t he r e b yvi o l a t i ngt hev e r ye s s e nc e o ff ai rpl a yandt heCo ns t i t ut i o ni t s e l f .I nhi swo r ds :“ t he s uig e ne r i s na t ur eo fJ BC pr o c e e di ng sdo e sno ta ut ho r i z et heChi e fJ us t i c et oas s umet he s er o l e s ,no rdo e si t di s p ens ewi t ht hene e dt oho no rpe t i t i o ne r ’ sr i g htt oduepr o c e s s . ” 10

B. TheJBC commi t t ed graveabus eofdi s cr et i on i n ex cl udi ng Jardel ez a .The“ una ni mi t y f rom t heshortl i stofnomi nees,i nvi ol at i on ofi t sownrul es r e q ui r e me nt ”pr o v i d e dunde rSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09d o e sno tfinda ppl i c a t i o n whe name mb e ro ft heJBC r a i s e sa no b j e c t i o nt oana pp l i c a nt ’ si nt e g r i t y .He r e ,t he l o neo bj e c t o rc o ns t i t ut e dapa r to ft heme mb e r s hi po ft hebo dys e tt ov o t e .Thel o ne o b j e c t o rc o ul dbec o mpl e t e l yc a pab l eo ft aki ngho s t a get hee nt i r ev o t i ngpr o c e s sb y t heme r ee xpe di e nc yofr a i s i ngano bj e c t i o n.Chi e fJus t i c eSe r e no ’ si nt e r pr e t at i o no f t her ul ewo ul da l l o w as i t ua t i o nwhe r eal lt ha tame mb e rha st odot ov e t oo t he r v o t e s , i nc l udi ngma j o r i t yvo t e s ,wo ul dbet oo bj e c tt ot hequal i fic a t i o no fac andi dat e , wi t ho utne e df o rf ac t ualbas i s .

C. Havi ng s ecur ed t hesuffici entnumberofvot es ,i twasmi ni s t er i alon t hepartoft heJBC t oi ncl udeJardel ezai nt hesubj ectshortl i st .Se c t i o n1, Rul e 10 ofJBC009 pr o vi des t hata nomi nat i on f orappoi nt mentt oa j udi c i al po s i t i o nr e q ui r e st hea ffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa tl e a s tama j o r i t yo fa l lme mb e r so ft he J BC.TheJ BC c a nno td i s r e g a r di t so wnr u l e s .Co ns i d e r i ngt ha tJ a r d e l e z awa sa bl e t os e c ur ef o ur( 4)o uto fs i x( 6)v o t e s ,t heo nl yc o nc l us i o ni st hatama j o r i t yo ft he me mb e r so ft heJBCf o undhi mt obeq ua l i fie df o rt hepo s i t i o no fAs s o c i a t eJus t i c e .

D. The unl awf ulexc l us i on oft he pet i t i onerf r om t he s ubj ects hortl i s t i mpai rst hePres i dent ’ sconst i t ut i onalpowert oappoi nt .Jar de l e z a’ se x c l u_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I d. 10 ,atp .12.

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s i o nf r o mt hes ho r tl i s thasunl a wf ul l ynar r o we dt hePr e s i de nt ’ sc ho i c e s . Si mpl yput , t hePr e s i d e ntwo ul db ec o n s t r a i ne dt oc ho o s ef r o ma mo ngf o ur( 4 )no mi ne e s ,whe n fiv e( 5)appl i c a nt sr i ght f ul l yqual i fie df o rt hepo s i t i o n.Thi sl i mi t st hePr e s i de ntt o a ppo i ntame mb e ro ft heCo ur tf r o m al i s tg e ne r a t e dt hr o ug hapr o c e s st a i nt e dwi t h pat e ntc o ns t i t ut i o nalv i o l at i o nsanddi s r e gar df o rr ul e so fj us t i c eandf ai rpl a y .Unt i l t he s ec o ns t i t ut i o nali nfir mi t i e sar er e me di e d,t hepe t i t i o ne rhast her i g htt opr e v e nt t hea ppo i nt me nto fanAs s o c i a t eJ us t i c ev i c e As s o c i a t eJ us t i c eAb ad. Comme ntoft heJBC

OnAug us t1 1,2 01 4,t heJ BC fil e di t sc o mme ntc o nt e ndi ngt ha tJ ar de l e z a ’ sp e t i t i o n l a c k e dpr o c e dur a la nds ubs t ant i v eb as e st ha two ul dwar r antf a v o r a bl ea c t i o nb yt h e Cour t .Fort heJBC,c e r t i o r ar ii so nl ya v ai l ab l eag ai ns tat r i b una l ,ab o ar do ran o ffic e re x er c i s i ngj udi c i alo rquas i j udi c i alf unc t i o ns . 11TheJBC,i ni t se x er c i s eo fi t s ma nd at et or e c o mme nda pp o i nt e e st ot heJud i c i a r y ,d o e sno te x e r c i s ea nyo ft he s e f unc t i o ns .I n a pe nd i ngc a s e , 1 2J ar d e l e z ahi ms e l f ,a so neo ft hel a wy e r sf o rt he r t i o r ar ic g o v e r nme nt ,a r g u e di nt hi swi s e :Ce a nno ti s s u ea g a i ns tt heJ BC i nt he i mpl e me nt at i o no fi t spo l i c i e s . I nt hes a mev e i n,t her e me d yo fmandamus i si nc o rr e c t Ma . ndamus do e sno tl i et o c o mpe ladi s c r e t i o nar yac t .Fo ri tt opr o s pe r ,ape t i t i o nf o rmandamus mus t ,amo ng o t he rt hi ng s ,s ho wt hatt hepe t i t i o ne rhasac l e arl e g alr i g htt ot heac tde mande d.I n Jar d e l e z a ’ sc a s e ,t he r ei snol e g alr i g htt obei nc l ude di nt hel i s to fno mi ne e sf o r j udi c i alv ac anc i e s .Po s s e s s i o no ft hec o ns t i t ut i o nalands t at ut o r yqual i fic at i o nsf o r a pp o i nt me ntt ot heJ ud i c i a r yma yno tb eus e dt ol e g a l l yde ma ndt ha to ne ’ sn ameb e i nc l ude di nt hel i s to fc a ndi dat e sf o r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 1 Se c t i o n1 ,Rul e6 5,Rul e so fCo ur t . 12 Vi l l a nue v av .Judi c i a la nd Ba rCo u nc i l,do c k e t e da s G. R.No .2 11 83 3( s t i l l p e n d i n g ) .

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aj udi c i alv ac anc y .One ’ si nc l us i o ni nt hes ho r tl i s ti ss t r i c t l ywi t hi nt hedi s c r e t i o no f t heJBC. Ane ntt hes ubs t ant i v ei s s ue s ,t heJBCmai nl yde ni e dt hatJar de l e z awasde pr i v e do f d uepr o c e s s .TheJBC r e i t e r a t e dt ha tJu s t i c eLa g ma n,o nb e ha l fo ft heJBC En Banc ,c al l ed Jar del ez a and i nf or med hi m t hatChi efJus t i c e Ser eno woul d be i nv o ki ngSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09duet oaq ue s t i o no nhi si nt e g r i t yb as e do n t hewa yheha nd l e dav e r yi mpo r t a ntc a s ef o rt heg o v e r nme nt .J ar de l e z aa ndJus t i c e La g ma ns p o k ebr i e fl ya b o utt hec a s ea ndhi sg e n e r a le x p l a na t i o no nho wheha nd l e d t he s ame.Sec r e t ar y De Li ma l i kewi s ei nf or med hi m aboutt he c ont entoft he i mpe ndi ngo bj e c t i o nag ai ns thi sa ppl i c a t i o n.Ont he s eo c c as i o ns , Jar d e l e z aag r e e dt o e x p l a i n hi ms e l f .Co met heJ une3 0,2 01 4 me e t i ng ,ho we v e r ,J ar d e l e z ar e f us e dt o s he dl i g hto nt heal l e g at i o nsa ga i ns thi m,a shec ho s et ode l i v e ras t a t e me nt ,whi c h, i ne s s e n c e ,r e q ue s t e dt ha thi sa c c us e ra ndhe rwi t ne s s e sfil es wo r ns t a t e me nt ss o t ha thewo ul d kno wo ft hea l l e g a t i o nsag a i ns thi m,t ha theb ea l l o we dt oc r o s s e x a mi net hewi t ne s s e s ;a ndt ha tt hepr o c e d ur eb edo neo nr e c o r da ndi npub l i c . I no t he rwo r ds , J ar de l e z awa sg i v e na mp l eo ppo r t uni t yt ob ehe a r dandt oe nl i g ht e n eac h memberoft he JBC on t he i s s uesr ai s ed agai ns thi m pr i ort ot he vo t i ng pr o c e s s .Hi sr e q ue s tf o ras wo r ns t a t e me nta ndo p po r t uni t yt oc r o s s e x a mi nei sno t s u pp o r t e db yade ma nda bl er i g ht .TheJBCi sno taf a c t findi ngbo d y .Ne i t he ri si ta c ourtnor a quas i j udi c i alagenc y .The member s ar e notco nc er ned wi t ht he de t e r mi nat i o no fhi sg ui l to ri nno c e nc eo ft heac c us a t i o nsa gai ns thi m. Be s i d e s ,Se c t i o ns3a nd4 ,Rul e1 0,J BC0 0 9a r eme r e l yd i r e c t o r yass ho wnb yt he us eo ft hewo r d“ ma y . ”Ev e nt hec o n duc to fahe a r i ngt ode t e r mi net hev e r a c i t yo fa n o p po s i t i o ni s di s c r e t i o na r yo nt he J BC.Or di na r i l y ,i ft he r ea r eo t he r wa y so f a s c e r t a i ni ngt het r ut ho rf a l s i t yo fana l l e g at i o no ro ppo s i t i o n,t heJ BC wo ul dno t c a l lahe ar i ngi no r d e rt oa v o i dunduede l a yo ft hes e l e c t i o npr o c e s s . Ea c hme mb e ro f t heJ BCr e l i e s

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o nhi so rh e ro wna ppr e c i a t i o no ft hec i r c ums t a nc e sa ndq ua l i fic a t i o nso fa ppl i c a nt s . TheJBC t he np r o c e e d e dt od e f e n da dhe r e n c et oi t ss t a nd i ngr ul e s .Asa g e n e r a l r ul e ,a na ppl i c a nti si nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s twhe nheo rs heo bt a i nsa naffir ma t i v e v o t eo fa tl e a s tama j o r i t yo fa l lt heme mb e r so ft heJ BC.Whe nSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o f J BC0 09 ,ho we v e r ,i si n v o ke db e c a us ea na ppl i c a nt ’ si nt e g r i t yi sc ha l l e ng e d,a una ni mo u sv o t ei sr e q u i r e d .Thus ,whe n Chi e fJ us t i c e Se r e n oi n v o k e dt hes a i d pr o vi s i on,Jar del ez a nee ded t he affir mat i vevo t e ofal lt he JBC member st o be i nc l ude di nt he s ho r tl i s t .I nt he pr o c e s s ,Chi e fJ us t i c e Se r e no ’ sv o t ea ga i ns t J ar d e l e z awa sno tc o unt e d .Ev e nt he n,hene e d e dt hev o t e so ft hefiv e( 5 )r e ma i ni ng me mb e r s .Heo nl ygo tf o ur( 4 )a ffir ma t i v ev o t e s .Asar e s ul t ,hewa sno ti nc l ude di n t hes ho r tl i s t .Appl i c a ntRe y na l d oB.Da wa y ,whog o tf o ur( 4 )a ffir ma t i v ev o t e s ,wa s i nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s tb e c aus ehi si nt e gr i t ywa sno tc ha l l e ng e d.Ast ohi m,t he “ ma j o r i t yr ul e ”wasc o ns i de r e dappl i c a bl e . La s t l y ,t he J BC r ue dt ha tJa r d e l e z as ue dt he r e s p o nd e nt si n hi sc a pa c i t ya s So l i c i t o rGe ne r a l .De s p i t ec l a i mi ngapr e f a t o r ya ppe a r a nc ei npr o pr i ape r s o n a,al l pl e a di ng sfil e dwi t ht heCo ur twe r es i g ne di nhi so ffic i a lc a pac i t y .I ne ffe c t ,hes ue d t her e s p o nde nt st opur s ueapur e l ypr i v at ei nt e r e s twhi l er e t a i ni ngt heo ffic eo ft he So l i c i t o rGe n e r a l .By s ui ng t he v e r yp a r t i e she wa st a s k e db yl a wt od e f e n d, J ar d e l e z a kno wi ng l y pl a c e d hi ms e l fi n as i t ua t i o n whe r e hi spe r s o n ali nt e r e s t s c o l l i de d ag ai ns thi spubl i cdut i e s ,i nc l e arv i o l at i o no ft he Co deo fPr o f e s s i o nal Re s p o ns i b i l i t ya ndCo deo fPr o f e s s i o na lEt hi c s .Mo r e o v e r ,t her e s p o nde nt sar ea l l publ i co ffic i al sbe i ngs ue di nt he i ro ffic i alc a pac i t y .Byr e t ai ni nghi st i t l easSo l i c i t o r Ge ne r a l ,a nd s u i ng i nt he s a i dc a pa c i t y ,J ar d e l e z afil e das u i ta g ai ns thi so wn c l i e nt s ,b e i ng t he l e g a ld e f e nd e ro ft he g o v e r nme nta nd i t so ffic e r s .Thi sr uns c o n t r ar yt ot hefiduc i a r yr e l at i o ns hi ps ha r e db yal a wy e ra ndhi sc l i e nt . I no ppo s i t i o nt oJa r de l e z a ’ spr a y e rf o rt hei s s ua nc eo faTRO,t heJBCc a l l e dt omi nd t hec o ns t i t ut i o nalpe r i o dwi t hi n

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whi c hav a c a nc yi nt heCo ur tmus tb efil l e d .Ast hi ng sno ws t a nd,t hePr e s i d e ntha s unt i lAug us t2 0,2 01 4t oe x e r c i s ehi sa pp o i nt me ntpo we rwhi c hc a nno tb er e s t r a i ne d b yaTRO o ra ni nj unc t i v es u i t .

Commentoft heExe cut i veSec r e t ary

E e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar y) I n hi sCo mme n t ,Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r yPa q ui t oN.Oc ho a ,J r . (x r a i s e dt hepo s s i bl eunc o ns t i t ut i o nal i t yo fSe c t i o n2,Rul e10o fJBC009,par t i c ul ar l y t he i mpo s i t i o no fa hi g he rv o t i ng t hr e s h o l di nc a s e swhe r et he i nt e g r i t yo fa n a ppl i c a nti sc hal l e ng e d.I ti shi spo s i t i o nt ha tt h es ub j e c tJBC r ul ei mpa i r st he bo dy ’ sc o l l e gi alc har a c t e r ,whi c he s s e nt i al l yo pe r at e sont hebas i so fma j o r i t yr ul e . Theappl i c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09g i v e sr i s et oas i t ua t i o nwhe r ea l l t ha tame mb e rn e e dst odo ,i no r d e rt odi s q u al i f yana pp l i c a ntwhoma ywe l lha v e a l r e a dyo b t a i ne dama j o r i t yv o t e ,i st oo bj e c tt ohi si nt e gr i t y .I ne ffe c t ,ame mbe r whoi n v o ke st hes a i dpr o v i s i o ni sg i v e nav e t opo we rt ha tunde r mi ne st hee q ua la nd f ul lpar t i c i pat i o no ft heo t he rme mb e r si nt heno mi na t i o npr o c e s s .A l o neob j e c t o r ma yt he no v er r i det hewi l lo ft hema j o r i t y ,r e nde r i ngi l l us o r y ,t hec o l l e gi alnat ur eo f t heJ BCa ndt hev e r ypur p o s ef o rwhi c hi twa sc r e a t e d— t os hi e l dt hea pp o i nt me nt pr o c e s sf r o m po l i t i c a lma ne uv e r i ng .Fur t he r ,Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09ma yb e v i o l a t i v eo f due p r o c e s sf o ri td o e s no t al l o w a na pp l i c a nt a n y me a ni ng f ul o ppo r t uni t yt or e f ut et hec hal l e ng e st ohi si nt e gr i t y .Whi l eo t he rpr o v i s i o nso ft he J BC r u l e sp r o v i d eme c ha ni s mse n a bl i ngana pp l i c a ntt oc o mme n to na no p p o s i t i o n fil e da ga i ns thi m,t hes ubj e c tr ul edo e sno ta ffo r dt hes a meo ppo r t uni t y . I nt hi sc a s e , J ar d e l e z a ’ sal l e g at i o nsast ot h ee v e nt swhi c ht r a ns p i r e do nJ une30 ,2 01 4o b vi o us l y s ho wt ha thewa sne i t he ri nf o r me do ft hea c c us a t i o n sa g a i ns th i m no rg i v e nt he c ha nc et omus t e rade f e ns et he r e t o .

The Ex e c ut i v e Se c r e t a r yt he no ffe r e das u pp o s i t i o n:g r a nt i ng t ha tt he s u b j e c t pr o v i s i o ni she l dt obec o ns t i t ut i o nal ,t he“ unani mi t yr ul e ”wo ul do nl ybeope r a t i v e whe nt heo bj e c t o ri s

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no tame mb e ro ft heJBC.I ti so nl yi nt hi ss c e na r i owhe r et hev o t i ngo ft hebo d y wo ul dno tb er e n de r e di nc o ns e q ue nt i a l .I nt hee v e ntt ha taJ BC me mb e rr a i s e dt he o b j e c t i o n,wha ts ho ul d ha v eb e e na ppl i e di st heg e ne r a lr ul eo fa ma j o r i t yv o t e , whe r ean yJ BC me mb e rr e t a i nst he i rr e s p e c t i v er e s e r v a t i o nst oana ppl i c a t i o nwi t h ane g at i v ev o t e .Co r o l l ar yt he r e t o ,t heunc o ns t i t ut i o nal i t yo ft hes a i dr ul ewo ul d ne c e s s i t at et hei nc l us i o no fJar d el e z ai nt hes ho r tl i s ts ubmi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de nt .

Ot he rpl eadi ngs

OnAug us t1 2 ,2 01 4,J ar de l e z awa sgi v e nt hec ha nc et or e f ut et heal l e g a t i o nso ft he JBC i ni t sComment .Hesubmi t t edhi sRepl yt her e t oon August15,2014.A f e w ho ur st he r e a f t e r ,o rbar e l yt e nmi nut e spr i o rt ot hec l o s i ngo fb us i ne s s ,t heCo ur t r e c e i v e dt heSup pl e me nt a lCo mme nt Re p l yo ft heJ BC,t hi st i mewi t ht hea t t a c h e d mi nut e so ft hepr o c e e d i ng st ha tl e dt ot hefil i ng o ft hepe t i t i o n,a nd a de t a i l e d “ St at e me nto ft heChi e fJus t i c eo nt heI nt e gr i t yObj e c t i o n. ” 13Ob vi o us l y ,Jar d e l e z a ’ s Re p l yc o ns i s t e do nl yo fhi sar g ume nt sag a i ns tt heJ BC’ so r i g i na lCo mme nt ,a si t wa sfil e dpr i o rt ot hefil i ngo ft heSup pl e me nt a lCo mme nt Re p l y . At t he l at e s t ag e o f t he c as e , t wo mo t i o ns t o admi t c o mme nt s i ni nt e r v e nt i o n/ o ppo s i t i o ns i ni nt e r v e nt i o nwe r efil e d.Onewasb yAt t y .Pur i fic a c i o nS. Ba r t o l o me Be r na b e ,p ur p o r t e d l yt he Pr e s i d e nt o ft he I nt e g r a t e d Ba ro ft he Phi l i ppi ne s Bul a c a nCha pt e r .Thi sp l e adi nge c ho e dt hepo s i t i o no ft heJ BC. 14 Theo t he ro newa sfil e db yAt t y . Re y na l doA.Co r t e s , pur po r t e d l yaf o r me rPr e s i de nt oft he I BP Bagui oBenguetChapt erand f or merGo ve r noroft he I BPNor t her n Luz o n .I twa sc o u pl e dwi t hac o mpl a i ntf o rd i s b a r me nta g ai ns tJ ar de l e z a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Ro l l o 13 ,pp.1702 17 . 14 I d. ,atpp.128169.

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pr i mar i l yf o rvi o l at i o nso ft heCo deofPr o f e s s i o nalRe s po ns i bi l i t yf o rr e pr e s e nt i ng c o nfli c t i ngi nt e r e s t s . 15 Bo t hmo t i o nsf o ri nt e r v e n t i o nwe r ede ni e dc o ns i de r i ngt ha tt i mewa so ft hee s s e n c e a nd t he i rmo t i o nswe r eme r e l yr e i t e r a t i v eo ft hep o s i t i o nso ft heJ BC a nd we r e pe r c e i v e dt obedi l a t o r y .Thec o mpl a i ntf o rdi s b ar me nt ,ho we v e r ,wa sr e do c ke t e da s as e p ar a t eadmi ni s t r a t i v ec a s e .

TheI s s ues

Ami ds tamy r i ado fi s s ue ss ubmi t t e db yt hepar t i e s ,mo s to fwhi c har ei nt e r r e l at e d s uc ht hatt her e s o l ut i o no fo nei s s uewo ul dne c e s s a r i l yaffe c tt hec o nc l us i o na st ot he o t he r s ,t heCo ur to p t st ona r r o w do wnt heque s t i o nst ot hev e r ys o ur c eo ft hedi s c o r d —t hec o r r e c tappl i c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2,Rul e10JBC009andi t se ffe c t s ,i fany ,o nt he s ubs t ant i v er i g ht so fappl i c a nt s . TheCo ur ti sno tunmi ndf ulo ft hef ac tt hataf ac i als c r ut i nyoft hepe t i t i o ndo e sno t di r e c t l yr a i s et heunc o ns t i t ut i o nal i t yo ft hes ubj e c tJ BCr ul e .I ns t e ad,i tb e wai l st he unc o ns t i t ut i o na le ffe c t so fi t sa ppl i c a t i o n.I ti so nl yf r o m t he c o mme nto ft he Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r ywhe r et hepo s s i bl eunc o ns t i t ut i o na l i t yo ft her ul ewa sbr o ug ht t ot hef o r e .De s p i t et hi smi l i e u,apr ac t i c a la ppr o a c hdi c t a t e st ha tt heCo ur tmus t c o nf r o ntt hes o ur c eo ft hebl e e d i ngf r o m whi c ht heg ap i ngwo undp r e s e nt e dt ot he Co u r ts uffe r s . Thei s s ue sf o rr e s o l ut i o nar e :

I .

WHETHER OR NOT THE COURT CAN ASSUME JURI SDI CTI ON AND GI VEDUECOURSETO THESUBJECTPETI TI ON FOR CERTI ORARIAND WI TH APPLI CATI ON FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAI NI NG MANDAMUS ( ORDER) . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 15 I d. ,atpp.220233.

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I I . WHETHER OR NOT THE I SSUES RAI SED AGAI NST JARDELEZA BEFI T “ QUESTI ONS OR CHALLENGES ON I NTEGRI TY”AS CONTEMPLATED UNDER SECTI ON 2,RULE 10OFJBC009. I I I . WHETHER OR NOT THE RI GHT TO DUE PROCESS I S AVAI LABLE I N THE COURSE OF JBC PROCEEDI NGSI N CASES WHERE AN OBJECTI ON OR OPPOSI TI ON TO AN APPLI CATI ON I SRAI SED. I V. WHETHER OR NOT PETI TI ONER JARDELEZA MAY BE I NCLUDED I N THESHORTLI STOFNOMI NEESSUBMI TTEDTO THEPRESI DENT. TheCourt ’ sRul i ng

I – Pr oc e dur al I s s ue : The Cour t has cons t i t ut i onal bas e st o as s ume j ur i s di c t i onove rt hec as e

A–TheCour t ’ sPowe rofSupe r vi s i onove rt heJBC

Se c t i o n8,Ar t i c l eVI I Io ft he198 7Co ns t i t ut i o npr o v i de sf o rt hec r e a t i o no ft heJBC. TheCo ur twa sgi v e ns upe r v i s o r yaut ho r i t yo v e ri t .Se c t i o n8r e a ds :

Sec t i on8. A Judi c i aland BarCo unc i li she r e b yc r e at e d undert he s uper vi s i on oft he ompos ed oft he Chi efJust i c e as e xo ffic i o Chai r man,t he Supr eme Court c Se c r e t ar yo fJus t i c e , andar e pr e s e nt at i v eo ft heCo ngr e s sa se xo ffic i o

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Me mb e r s ,a r e p r e s e nt a t i v eo ft he I nt e g r a t e d Ba r ,a pr o f e s s o ro fl a w,a r e t i r e d Member of t he Supr eme Cour t , and a r epr es ent at i ve of t he pr i vat es ec t or . [ Emp ha s i ss up pl i e d ] Asa me a ni ng f ulg ui d e po s t ,j ur i s p r u de nc epr o v i d e st hede fini t i o na nd s c o p eo f s upe r v i s i o n.I ti st hepo we ro fo v e r s i g ht ,o rt heaut ho r i t yt os e et hats u bo r d i nat e o ffic e r spe r f o r mt he i rdut i e s .I te ns u r e st ha tt hel a wsa ndt her ul e sg o v e r n i ngt he c o n duc to fa g o v e r nme n te n t i t ya r eo b s e r v e da nd c o mp l i e d wi t h.Sup e r v i s i ng o ffic i a l ss e et oi tt ha tr ul e sar ef o l l o we d,b utt he yt he ms e l v e sdono tl a ydo wns uc h r ul e s ,no rdot he yha v et hedi s c r e t i o nt omo di f yorr e pl ac et he m.I ft her ul e sar eno t o b s e r v e d,t he yma yo r d e rt hewo r kdo neo rr e d o ne ,b uto nl yt oc o nf o r mt os uc hr u l e s . The yma yno tp r e s c r i b et he i rown ma nne ro fe x e c ut i o no ft heac t .The yha v eno di s c r e t i o no nt hi smat t e re x c e ptt os eet oi tt hatt her ul e sar ef o l l o we d. 16 Ba s e do nt hi s ,t hes up e r v i s o r ya ut ho r i t yo ft heCo u r to v e rt he J BC c o v e r st he o v e r s e e i ng o fc o mpl i a nc e wi t h i t sr u l e s .I n t hi sc a s e ,J ar de l e z a ’ s pr i nc i pa l al l e gat i o nsi nhi spe t i t i o nme r i tt hee xe r c i s eo ft hi ss upe r vi s o r yaut ho r i t y .

B –Avai l abi l i t yoft heRemedyofMandamus

The Co ur t agr e e s wi t ht he JBC t hat a wr i to f mandamus i s no tav ai l abl e . Mandamus l i e st oc o mpe lt hepe r f o r ma nc e ,whe nr e f us e d ,o fami ni s t e r i a ldut y ,but no tt oc o mpe lt hepe r f o r ma nc eo fadi s c r e t i o nar ydut y Ma . ndamus wi l lno ti s s uet o c o n t r o lo rr e v i e wt hee x e r c i s eo fdi s c r e t i o no fapub l i co ffic e rwhe r et hel a wi mpo s e s up o ns a i dpub l i co ffic e rt her i g hta nddut yt oe x e r c i s ehi sj udg me nti nr e f e r e nc et o anymat t e ri nwhi c hhei sr e qui r e dt oa c t .I ti shi sj udg me ntt hati st obe

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 16 Dr i l o nv .Li m,G. R.No . 1 1 24 9 7 ,Aug us t4 ,1 9 94 ,2 3 5SCRA1 3 5,1 4 2.

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e x e r c i s e da ndno tt ha to ft hec o ur t . 1 7The r ei snoq ue s t i o nt ha tt heJ BC’ sdut yt o no mi na t ei sd i s c r e t i o na r yandi tma yno tb ec o mp e l l e dt odos o me t hi ng .

C –Avai l abi l i t yoft heRemedyofCert i orari

Re s p o nd e ntJ BC o p po s e dt hepe t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar i o nt heg r o u ndt ha ti td o e sno t e x e r c i s ej udi c i alo rqua s i j udi c i alf unc t i o ns .Unde rSe c t i o n 1o fRul e65,awr i to f c e r t i o r ar i i sdi r e c t e dag ai ns tat r i bunale x er c i s i ngj udi c i alo rquas i j udi c i alf unc t i o n. “ J udi c i a lf unc t i o nsa r ee x e r c i s e db yab o dy o ro ffic e rc l o t he d wi t ha ut ho r i t yt o de t e r mi newha tt hel a wi sa ndwha tt hel e g a lr i g ht so ft hepa r t i e sa r ewi t hr e s p e c t t ot hemat t e ri nc o nt r o v e r s y .Quas i j udi c i alf unc t i o ni sat e r mt hata ppl i e st ot he ac t i o no rdi s c r e t i o no fpubl i ca dmi ni s t r a t i v eo ffic e r so rbo di e sgi v e nt heaut ho r i t yt o i nv e s t i g at ef a c t so ra s c e r t a i nt he e x i s t e nc eo ff a c t s ,ho l d he ar i ng s ,a nd dr a w c o nc l us i o nsf r o mt he m asabas i sf o rt he i ro ffic i alac t i o nus i ngdi s c r e t i o no faj udi c i al na t ur e . ” 1 8I tas s e r t st ha ti nt he p e r f o r ma nc eo fi t sf unc t i o no fr e c o mme nd i ng appo i nt e e sf o rt hej udi c i ar y ,t heJBC do e sno te x e r c i s ej udi c i alo rquas i j udi c i al f unc t i o ns . He nc e , t her e s o r tt os uc hr e me dyt oq ue s t i o ni t sa c t i o nsi si mpr o p er . I nt hi sc as e ,Jar d e l e z ac r i e st ha ta l t ho ug hhee ar ne daqual i f y i ngnumbe ro fv o t e si n t heJ BC,i twa sne g at e db yt hei nv o c a t i o no ft he“ una ni mi t yr u l e ”o ni nt e g r i t yi n v i o l a t i o no fhi sr i g htt oduepr o c e s sg uar ant e e dno to nl yb yt heCo ns t i t ut i o nb utb y t heCo unc i l ’ so wn r ul e s .Fo rs a i dr e a s o n,t heCo ur ti so ft hepo s i t i o nt ha ti tc an e x e r c i s et hee x pande dj udi c i al _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 17 Pal o mav .Mo r a,5 07Phi l .6 97 ;4 7 0SCRA7 11( 2 00 5) .

mb e ro fRe a lEs t a t eand Bui l de r s ’As s o c i a t i o ns ,I nc .( CREBA)v .Ene r g y 18 Cha Re gul at o r yCo mmi s s i o n( ERC)andMani l aEl e c t r i cCo mpany( MERALCO),G. R.No . 1 7 46 9 7 ,J ul y8 ,2 0 10 ,6 2 4SCRA5 5 6.

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po we ro fr e v i e wv e s t e dup o ni tb yt he19 87Co ns t i t ut i o n.Thus : Ar t i c l eVI I I . Sec t i on1. Thej udi c i alpoweri sve s t edi noneSupr emeCourtandi ns uc hl o wer c o ur t sa sma ybee s t a bl i s h e db yl a w. Judi c i alpo we ri nc l ude st hedut yo ft hec o ur t so fj us t i c et os e t t l eac t ualc o nt r o v e r s i e s i nv o l v i ngr i g ht swhi c ha r el e g a l l yde ma nda bl eande nf o r c e a bl e ,a ndt ode t e r mi ne whe t he ro rno tt he r eha sb e e n ag r a v ea b us eo fd i s c r e t i o na mo u nt i ngt ol a c ko r e x c e s so fj ur i s d i c t i o no nt he p ar to fa ny b r a nc ho ri ns t r ume n t a l i t yo ft he Go v e r nme nt . I thasb ee nj udi c i al l ys e t t l e dt hatape t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar ii sap r o p e rr e me d yt o q ue s t i o nt hea c to fa nybr a nc ho ri ns t r u me nt a l i t yo ft heg o v e r nme nto nt heg r o und o fgr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o namo unt i ngt ol ac ko re x c e s so fj ur i s di c t i o nb yanybr a nc h o ri ns t r u me nt a l i t yo ft hego v e r nme nt e ,v e ni ft hel at t e rdo e sno te x e r c i s ej udi c i al , q uas i j udi c i alo rmi ni s t e r i alf unc t i o ns. 19 I nac as el i ket hi s ,whe r ec o ns t i t ut i o nalbe ar i ng sar et o obl at antt oi g no r e ,t heCo ur t do e sno tfindpa s s i v i t yasa na l t e r nat i v e .Thei mpass e mus tbeo ve r c ome.

I I–Subs t ant i alI s s ue s

Ex ami ni ngt heUnani mi t yRul eo ft heJBC i nc as e swhe r eanappl i c ant ’ si nt e gr i t yi s c hal l e ng e d

The p ur p o s eo ft he J BC’ se x i s t e n c ei si nd ub i t a b l yr o o t e di nt he c a t e g o r i c a l c o ns t i t ut i o na ld e c l a r a t i o nt ha t“ [ a ]me mb e ro ft hej ud i c i a r ymus tb eape r s o no f pr o v e nc o mpe t e nc e , i nt e g _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 19 Ar aul l ov .Aq ui noI I I ,G. R.No .2 09 28 7 ,J ul y1 ,2 01 4,7 2 8SCRA1 .

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r i t y ,pr o b i t y ,and i nde pe nde nc e . ”Toe ns ur et hef ul fil l me nto ft he s es t andar dsi n e v e r yme mb e ro ft heJud i c i a r y ,t heJBC ha sbe e nt a s k e dt os c r e e na s p i r i ngj ud ge s a nd j us t i c e s ,a mo ngo t he r s ,ma ki ng c e r t a i nt ha tt heno mi ne e ss ub mi t t e dt ot he Pr e s i de nta r ea l lq ua l i fie da nd s u i t a bl yb e s tf o rappo i nt me nt .I nt hi swa y ,t he a ppo i nt i ng pr o c e s si t s e l fi ss hi e l de df r o m t he po s s i b i l i t yo fe xt e ndi ng j udi c i a l appoi nt ment t ot he undes er vi ng and medi oc r e and,mor ei mpor t ant l y ,t ot he i ne l i g i bl eo rdi s qual i fie d. I nt hepe r f o r ma nc eo ft hi ss a c r e d dut y ,t heJ BC i t s e l fa dmi t s ,a ss t a t e di nt he “ whe r e a sc l a us e s ”o fJ BC0 09 ,t ha tq ua l i fic a t i o nss u c ha s“ c o mpe t e nc e ,i nt e g r i t y , p r o b i t ya ndi nd e pe nd e nc ea r eno te a s i l yd e t e r mi na bl ea st he ya r ede v e l o p e da nd nur t ur e dt hr o ug ht hey e ar s . ”Addi t i o nal l y ,“ i ti sno tpo s s i bl eo ra dv i s a bl et ol a y d o wn i r o n c l a dr ul e st od e t e r mi ne t he fit ne s so ft ho s e who a s p i r et ob e c o me a J us t i c e ,J ud g e ,Omb ud s ma no rDe p ut yOmb ud s ma n. ”Gi v e nt hi sr e a l i s t i cs i t ua t i o n, t he r ei sane e d“ t opr o mo t es t a bi l i t yanduni f o r mi t yi nJ BC’ sg ui di ngpr e c e p t sand pr i nc i pl e s . ”A s e to funi f o r mc r i t e r i ahadt obee s t abl i s he di nt heas c e r t ai nme nto f “ whe t her one mee t st he mi ni mum c ons t i t ut i onalqual i ficat i ons and pos s es s es q ua l i t i e so fmi nda ndhe a r te x pe c t e do fhi m”a ndhi so ffic e .Li k e wi s ef o rt hes a keo f t r a ns p ar e n c yo fi t spr o c e e di ng s ,t heJBC hadputt he s ec r i t e r i ai nwr i t i ng ,no wi n t hef o r mo fJ BC0 09 .Tr u ee no ug h,g ui de l i ne sh a v ebe e ns e ti nt hede t e r mi na t i o no f c o mpe t e nc e , ” 20“ p r o b i t yand _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 20 Rul e3 .SEC.1 . Gui de l i ne si n de t e r mi ni ngc o mpe t e n c e. —I n det er mi ni ng t he c o mp e t e nc eo ft heap pl i c a nto rr e c o mme nd e ef o ra pp o i nt me nt ,t heCo unc i ls h a l l c o n s i d e r hi s e d uc a t i o n al p r e p ar a t i o n , e x p e r i e n c e ,p e r f o r ma nc e a nd o t he r ac c ompl i s hment si nc l udi ng t he c o mp l e t i o no ft he p r e j udi c a t ur ep r o g r a m o ft he Phi l i ppi neJudi c i alAc ade my ;pr o v i de d,ho we v e r ,t hati npl ac e swhe r et henumbe ro f a pp l i c a nt so rr e c o mme nde e si si ns uffic i e nta ndt hepr o l o ng e dv a c a nc yi nt hec o ur t c o nc e r ne d wi l lp r e j udi c et headmi ni s t r a t i o no fj us t i c e ,s t r i c tc o mpl i anc ewi t ht he

r e q ui r e me n to fc o mpl e t i o no ft hepr e j udi c a t ur ep r o g r am s h al lb ede e me ddi r e c t o r y. E ( ffe c t i v eDe c .1 ,2003)

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i nd e pe nde nc e , ” 2 1“ s o u ndne s so fph ys i c a la ndme nt a lc o ndi _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ SEC.2. Educ at i o nalpr e par at i o n. —TheCo unc i ls ha l le v a l ua t et heappl i c a nt ’ s( a ) s c ho l a s t i cr e c o r dupt oc o mpl e t i o no ft hede g r e ei nl a wa ndo t he rb ac c a l a ur e a t eand po s t gr a duat ede gr e e so bt ai ne d;( b)b are x ami nat i o n pe r f o r manc e ;( c )c i v i ls e r v i c e e l i g i b i l i t i e sand g r a de si no t he rgo v e r nme nte x a mi na t i o ns ;( d)a c a de mi cawa r d s , s c ho l a r s hi p s o rg r a nt sr e c e i v e d / o b t a i ne d ;a nd ( e ) me mb e r s hi p i n l o c a lo r i nt e r nat i o nalho no rs o c i e t i e sorpr o f e s s i o nalo r g ani z at i o ns . SEC.3. Ex pe r i e nc e . —The e x p e r i e nc eo ft hea ppl i c a nti nt hef o l l o wi ng s h al lb e c o n s i de r e d : ( a )Go v e r nme nts e r v i c e ,whi c hi nc l ude st ha ti nt heJ udi c i a r y( Co ur to fApp e al s , Sandi ganbay an, and c ourt s of t he fir s t and s ec ond l e ve l s ) ;t he Exe c ut i ve De p a r t me n t( Offic eo ft hePr e s i d e ntp r o p e randt hea g e nc i e sa t t a c he dt he r e t oa nd t he Ca bi ne t ) ;t he Le g i s l a t i v e De p ar t me nt ( e l e c t i v eo ra pp o i nt i v e po s i t i o ns ) ; Cons t i t ut i onalCommi s s i ons or Offic es ;Loc alGov er nment Uni t s( el ec t i ve and appo i nt i v epo s i t i o ns ) ;andquas i j udi c i albo di e s . ( b)Pr i v at ePr a c t i c e ,whi c hma ye i t he rbeg e ne r a lpr a c t i c e ,e s pe c i al l yi nc o ur t so f j us t i c e ,aspr o v e nb y ,amo ngo t he rdo c ume nt s ,c e r t i fic at i o nsf r o m Me mbe r so ft he J ud i c i a r ya nd t he I BP a nd t he a ffid a v i t so fr e p ut a b l ep e r s o n s ;o rs p e c i a l i z e d p r a c t i c e ,a sp r o v e nb y ,a mo ng o t he rd o c u me nt s ,c e r t i fic a t i o nsf r o mt heI BP a nd a ppr o p r i a t ego v e r n me nta g e nc i e so rpr o f e s s i o na lo r g ani z a t i o ns ,a swe l last e a c hi ng o ra dmi ni s t r a t i v ee x pe r i e nc ei nt hea c a de me ;and ( c ) Ot he r s ,s u c h a ss e r v i c ei n i nt e r na t i o na lo r g a ni z a t i o ns o r wi t h f o r e i g n g o v e r nme nt so ro t he ra g e nc i e s . SEC.4. Pe r f o r manc e . —( a)The appl i c antwho i si n go ve r nment s er vi c es hal l s u bmi th i spe r f o r ma nc er a t i ng s ,whi c hs h al li nc l udeav e r i fie ds t a t e me nta st os uc h pe r f o r ma nc ef o rt hepa s tt hr e ey e a r s . ( b) Fori ncumbentMember soft heJudi c i ar ywhos ee k apr omo t i onalorl at er al appoi nt ment ,per f or mance may be bas e d on l andmar k dec i s i ons penned;c our t

r e c o r d sa st os t a t uso fd o c k e t ;r e p o r t so ft heOffic eo ft heCo ur tAd mi ni s t r a t o r ; v e r i fie df e e d b ac kf r o mt heI BP;a ndav e r i fie ds t a t e me nta st ohi sp e r f o r ma nc ef o r t hepas tt hr e ey e ar s ,whi c hs hal li nc l udehi sc as e l o ad,hi sa v e r ag emo nt hl yo ut puti n a l la c t i o n sa ndp r o c e e d i ng s ,t henumb e ro fc a s e sde e me ds ub mi t t e da ndt hed at e t hey we r e dee me ds ubmi t t e d, and t he numbe r of hi s dec i s i o ns dur i ng t he i mmedi at el y pr ec edi ng t woye ar per i od appeal ed t o a hi gher c ourt and t he p e r c e nt a g eo fa ffir ma nc et he r e o f . he r ac c ompl i s hme nt s. SEC.5. Ot —The Co u nc i ls ha l ll i k e wi s ec o n s i d e ro t he r a c c o mp l i s h me nt so ft he a pp l i c a nt ,s uc ha sa ut ho r s h i po fl a w b o o ks ,t r e a t i s e s , a r t i c l e sa nd o t he rl e g a lwr i t i ng s ,whe t he rp ub l i s h e do rno t ;a nd l e a de r s h i pi n pr o f e s s i o nal ,c i vi co ro t he ro r gani z at i o ns . 21 Rul e5. SECTI ON 1 . Ev i de nc eo fpr o bi t yand i nde pe nde nc e. —Anye vi denc e r e l e v a ntt ot hec a nd i da t e ’ spr o b i t ya ndi nde p e nde nc es u c ha s ,b utno tl i mi t e dt o , de c i s i o nsheha sr e nde r e di fhei sa ni nc u mb e ntme mb e ro ft hej udi c i a r yo rr e fl e c t i v e o ft hes o u nd VOL. 733, AUGUST 19, 2014

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t i o n, ” 2 2and“ i nt e gr i t y . ” 23 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ne s so fhi sj udg me nt ,c o ur a g e,r e c t i t ude ,c o l dne ut r a l i t yands t r e ng t ho fc h ar a c t e r s hal lbec o ns i de r e d. SEC.2. Te s t i mo ni a l so fp r o b i t ya nd i nde p e nde nc e . —The Co unc i lmay l i ke wi s e c o n s i de rval i da t e dt e s t i mo ni e so ft hea ppl i c a nt ’ spr o b i t y and i nde pe nde nc ef r o m r e p ut a bl eo ffic i a l sandi mpa r t i a lo r g ani z a t i o ns . d he al t h. 22 Rul e 6. SECTI ON 1 . Goo —Go o d phy s i c al he al t h and s o und me nt al / ps y c ho l o gi c a lande mo t i o nalc o ndi t i o no ft heappl i c a ntpl a yac r i t i c a lr o l ei n hi sc apac i t yandc a pabi l i t yt op er f o r mt hede l i c a t et as ko fadmi ni s t e r i ngj us t i c e .The a ppl i c a nto rt her e c o mme ndi ngp ar t ys h al ls u bmi tt o g e t he rwi t hhi sap pl i c a t i o no r t he r e c o mme n da t i o nas wo r n me d i c a lc e r t i fic a t eo rt he r e s ul t so fan e x e c ut i v e

me d i c a le x a mi na t i o ni s s ue do rc o n duc t e d ,a st hec a s ema yb e ,wi t hi nt womo n t hs pr i o rt ot he fil i ng o ft he a pp l i c a t i o no rr e c o mme nda t i o n.Ati t s di s c r e t i o n,t he Counc i lmay r equi r et he appl i c antt os ubmi thi ms el ft o ano t hermedi c aland ph y s i c a le x ami na t i o ni fi ts t i l lha ss o medo ub t so nt hefindi ng sc o nt a i ne di nt he me di c a lc e r t i fic a t eo rt her e s ul t so ft hee x e c ut i v eme di c a le x ami nat i o n. SEC.2. Ps y c ho l o g i c / a p ls y c hi at r i c t e s t s . —The

ap pl i c ant s hal l s ubmi t t o

ps y c ho l o g i c a l / ps y c hi a t r i ct e s t st obec o nduc t e db yt heSupr e meCo ur tMe di c a lCl i ni c o rb yaps y c ho l o gi s tand/ o rps y c hi a t r i s tdul yac c r e d i t e db yt heCo unc i l . Ev i de nc eo fi nt e g r i t y. 23 Rul e4 .SECTI ON 1. —The Counc i ls hal lt ake e ve r y po s s i bl es t e pt ove r i f yt heappl i c a nt ’ sr e c o r do fandr e put at i o nf o rho ne s t y , i nt e gr i t y , i nc o r r up t i b i l i t y ,i r r e pr o a c h ab l ec o n duc t ,and fide l i t yt os o und mo r a land e t hi c a l s t andar d s .Fo rt hi spur p os e ,t heappl i c a nts ha l ls ub mi tt ot heCo unc i lc e r t i fic a t i o ns o rt e s t i mo ni a l st he r e o ff r o mr e p ut a bl eg o v e r nme nto ffic i a l sa nd no ng o v e r nme nt a l o r g a ni z a t i o ns ,a nd c l e ar a nc e sf r o mt hec o u r t s ,Na t i o na lBur e a uo fI nv e s t i g at i o n, po l i c e , andf r o ms uc ho t he ra ge nc i e sa st heCo unc i lma yr e q ui r e . SEC.2. Bac kgr o undc he c k. —TheCo u nc i lma yo r d e radi s c r e e tb a c k g ro undc he c k o nt hei nt e g r i t y ,r e p ut a t i o n and c h ar a c t e ro ft hea ppl i c a nt ,and r e c e i v ef e e db ac k t he r e o nf r o mt hepubl i c , whi c hi ts hal lc he c ko rv e r i f yt ov al i dat et heme r i t st he r e o f . SEC.3. Te s t i mo nyo fpar t i e s . —TheCo unc i lma yr e c e i v ewr i t t e no p po s i t i o nt oan a ppl i c a nto ng r o und o fhi smo r a lfit ne s sa nd ,a ti t sdi s c r e t i o n,t heCo unc i lma y r e c e i v et het e s t i mo nyo ft heoppo s i t o ratahe a r i ngc o n duc t e df o rt hepur p o s e ,wi t h dueno t i c et ot heappl i -

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Asdi s c l o s e db yt hegui de l i ne sandl i s t so fr e c o gni z e de v i de nc eo fqual i fic at i o nl ai d do wni nJBC009,“ i nt e gr i t y ”i sc l o s e l yr e l at e dt o ,o ri fno t ,appr o x i mat e l yequat e dt o anappl i c a nt ’ sgo o dr e put at i o nf o rho ne s t y ,i nc o r r upt i bi l i t y ,i r r e pr o ac habl ec o nduc t , andfide l i t yt os oundmor alande t hi _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ c a ntwhos ha l lbeal l o we dt oc r o s s e x ami net heo ppo s i t o ra ndt oo ffe rc o unt e r v a i l i ng e v i d e n c e . SEC.4. Ano ny mo us c o mpl ai nt s. —Anonymous c ompl ai nt s agai nstan appl i c ant s h al lno tb eg i v e n duec o ur s e ,unl e s st he r ea ppe a r so ni t sf a c eapr o b ab l ec a us e s uffic i e ntt oe ng e nde rb e l i e ft hatt heal l e g at i o nsma ybet r ue .I nt hel at t e rc a s e ,t he Co unc i lma ye i t he r di r e c ta d i s c r e e ti nv e s t i g at i o no rr e q ui r et he a ppl i c a ntt o c o mme ntt he r e o ni nwr i t i ngo rd ur i ngt hei nt e r v i e w. SEC.5. Di s q ual i fic at i o n. —Thef o l l o wi ngar ed i s q ua l i fie df r o mb e i ngno mi na t e df o r appoi nt mentt oanyj udi c i alpos torasOmbuds manorDeput yOmbuds man: 1 . Tho s ewi t hp e nd i ngc r i mi na lo rr e g ul a ra dmi ni s t r a t i v ec a s e s ; 2 . Tho s ewi t hp e ndi ngc r i mi na lc a s e si nf o r e i g nc o ur t so rt r i b una l s ; a nd 3 . Tho s ewhoha v eb e e nc o n v i c t e di na nyc r i mi na lc a s e ;o ri na na dmi ni s t r a t i v e c a s e ,whe r et hepe na l t yi mp o s e di sa tl e a s tafineo fmo r et ha nP1 0, 0 00 ,unl e s she ha sbe e ng r a nt e dj udi c i a lc l e me nc y . SEC.6. Ot he ri ns t anc e so f di s q ual i fic at i o n. —I nc umbent j udge s , offic i al s or pe r s o nne lo ft heJ udi c i a r ywhoa r ef a c i ngadmi ni s t r at i v ec o mpl ai nt su nde ri nf o r ma l p r e l i mi na r yi n v e s t i g a t i o n( I PI )b yt he Offic eo ft he Co u r tAd mi ni s t r a t o rma y l i k e wi s eb ed i s q ua l i fie df r o m b e i ng no mi na t e di f ,i nt he d e t e r mi na t i o no ft he Co unc i l ,t hec har g e sar es e r i o uso rg r a v east oaffe c tt hefit ne s so ft heappl i c a ntf o r no mi na t i o n . Fo rpur p o s e so ft hi sSe c t i o na nd o ft hep r e c e d i ng Se c t i o n 5i ns o f a ra sp e nd i ng r e g ul ara dmi ni s t r a t i v ec a s e sar ec o nc e r n ed,t heSe c r e t ar yo ft heCo unc i ls hal l ,f r o m

t i met ot i me ,f ur ni s ht heOffic eo ft heCo ur tAd mi ni s t r a t o rt hena meo fa na pp l i c a nt up o nr e c e i p to ft he a pp l i c a t i o n/ r e c o mme nd at i o na nd c o mp l e t i o no ft he r e q ui r e d p ap e r s ;a nd wi t hi nt e nd a y sf r o mr e c e i p tt he r e o ft heCo ur tAd mi ni s t r a t o rs ha l l r e p o r ti n wr i t i ngt ot heCo unc i lwhe t he ro rno tt hea ppl i c a nti sf a c i ngar e g ul a r a dmi ni s t r a t i v ec a s eora nI PIc a s ea ndt hes t a t ust he r e o f .I nr e g a r dt ot heI PIc a s e , t heCo ur tAdmi ni s t r a t o rs h al la t t ac ht ohi sr e po r tc o p i e so ft hec o mpl a i nta ndt he c o mme n to ft her e s p o nd e nt .

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cals t andar ds .Tha ti swh yp r o o fo fa na pp l i c a nt ’ sr e p ut a t i o n ma yb es h o wn i n c er t i ficat i ons or t es t i moni al s f r om

r eput abl e go ve r nment offic i al s and

no ng o v e r n me nt a lo r g ani z a t i o nsa ndc l e a r a nc e sf r o mt hec o ur t s ,Na t i o na lBur e a uo f I n v e s t i g at i o n,a ndt hepo l i c e ,a mo ngo t he r s .I nf a c t ,t heJBC ma ye v e nc o nduc ta di s c r e e tb ac kg r o undc he c ka ndr e c e i v ef e e d ba c kf r o mt hepub l i co nt hei nt e g r i t y , r e p ut a t i o na ndc ha r a c t e ro ft heappl i c a nt ,t heme r i t so fwhi c hs hal lb ev e r i fie dand c he c k e d.As a q ua l i fic a t i o n,t he t e r m i st a ke nt or e f e rt oa v i r t ue ,s u c ht ha t , “ i nt e gr i t yi st hequal i t yo fpe r s on’ sc har a c t e r . ” 2 4 Thef o r e g o i ngpr e mi s et he nb e g e t st heq ue s t i o n:Do e sRul e2 ,Se c t i o n1 0o fJ BC0 09 , i ni mpo s i ngt he“ una ni mi t yr ul e , ”c o nt e mpl a t eado ub to nt hemo r a lc ha r a c t e ro fa n appl i c a nt ? Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09pr o v i de s : t e sr e q ui r e dwhe ni nt e g r i t yo faq ual i fie dappl i c a nti sc hal l e n ge d. SEC.2. Vo —I n e v e r yc a s ewhe r et hei nt e gr i t yo fa na ppl i c a ntwhoi sno to t he r wi s edi s q ual i fie df o r no mi na t i o ni sr a i s e do rc ha l l e ng e d ,t hea ffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa l lt heMe mb e r so ft he Co unc i lmus tb eo b t a i ne df o rt hef a v o r a bl ec o ns i de r at i o no fhi sno mi na t i o n. A s i mpl er e adi ngo ft heabo v epr o v i s i o nundo ubt e dl ye l i c i t st her ul et hatahi g he r v o t i ng r e q ui r e me nti sa bs o l ut ei nc a s e swhe r et he i nt e g r i t yo fa na ppl i c a nti s q ue s t i o ne d.Si mpl yput ,whe na ni nt e g r i t yque s t i o nar i s e s ,t hev o t i ngr e q ui r e me nt f o rhi so rh e ri nc l us i o na sano mi ne et oaj udi c i alpo s tb ec o me s“ una ni mo us ”i ns t e ad o ft he“ ma j o r i t yv o t e ”r e q ui r e di nt hepr e c e di ngs e c t i o n. 25Co ns i de r i ngt hatJ BC009 e mpl o y st het e r m“ i nt e g r i t y ”a sa ne s s e nt i a lq ual i fic a t i o nf o rappo i nt me nt ,a ndi t s do ub t f ule x i s t e nc ei nape r s o nme r i t sahi g he rhur dl e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 24

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t e sr e q ui r e df o ri nc l us i o n asno mi ne e. 25 Sec t i o n 1. Vo —No a pp l i c a nts ha l lb e c o ns i de r e df o rno mi na t i o nf o rappo i nt me ntt oa j udi c i a lp o s i t i o n unl e s shes h al l o b t a i nt hea ffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa tl e as tama j o r i t yo fa l lt heMe mb e r so ft heCo unc i l .

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t os ur pas s ,t hati s ,t heunani mo usv o t eo fal lt heme mb e r so ft heJBC,t heCo ur ti so f t he s a f ec o nc l us i o nt ha t“ i nt e g r i t y ”a s us e di nt he r u l e s mus tb ei nt e r p r e t e d uni f o r ml y .He nc e , Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09e nv i s i o nso nl yas i t ua t i o nwhe r ea n appl i c a nt ’ smo r a lfit ne s si sc hal l e ng e d.I tf o l l o wst he nt hatt he“ unani mi t yr ul e ”o nl y c o me si nt oo pe r a t i o nwhe nt hemo r a lc ha r a c t e ro fape r s o ni sputi ni s s ue .I tfinds noa ppl i c a t i o nwhe r et heq ue s t i o ni se s s e nt i a l l yunr e l a t e dt oa n appl i c a nt ’ smo r a l u p r i g h t n e s s .

Ex ami ni ngt he“ q ue s t i o nso fi nt e g r i t y ”madeag ai ns tJar de l e z a

TheCo ur twi l lno we x a mi net hep r o p r i e t yo fa pp l y i ngSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 t oJar de l e z a’ sc a s e. Themi nut eso ft heJBC mee t i ngs ,at t ac hedt ot heSuppl ement alComment Repl y , r e ve alt hatdur i ng t he June 30,2014 mee t i ng,no tonl yt he ques t i on on hi s a c t ua t i o nsi nt heha ndl i ngo fac a s ewa sc a l l e df o re x pl a na t i o nb yt heChi e fJus t i c e , b utt woo t he rg r o u nd sa swe l lt e nd i ngt os h o w hi sl a c ko fi nt e g r i t y :as u pp o s e d e xt r a mar i t alaffai ri nt hepas tandal l e ge dac t so fi ns i de rt r a di ng . 26 Ag ai ns tt hi sf ac t ualbac kdr o p,t heCo ur tno t e st hatt hei ni t i alo ro r i g i nali nv o c at i o n o fSe c t i o n2,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09wasg r o unde do nJ ar d e l e z a ’ s“ i na bi l i t yt od i s c har g e t hed ut i e so fhi so ffic e ”a ss ho wn i n al e g a lme mo r a nd um r e l a t e dt oJ a r d e l e z a ’ s ma nne ro fr e p r e s e nt i ngt heg o v e r nme nti nal e g a ld i s p ut e .Ther e c o r dsb e art ha tt he “ una ni mi t yr u l e ”wa si ni t i a l l yi n v o ke db y Chi e fJ us t i c e Se r e no d ur i ng t he J BC me e t i nghe l do nJ une5,2 01 4,whe r es hee x pr e s s e dhe rp o s i t i o nt ha tJ a r d e l e z adi d no tp o s s e s st hei nt e g r i t yr e q u i r e dt ob ea me mb e ro ft heCo u r t . 2 7I nt hes a me mee t i ng,t he Chi efJus t i c es har ed wi t ht he ot herJBC member st he det ai l s of J ar d e l e z a ’ sc ho s e nma nne ro ff r a mi ngt heg o v e r nme nt ’ sp o s i t i o ni nac a s e

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 6 Mi nut e s ,J une3 0,2 01 4 R ; o l l o ,pp.207216,211 . 2 7 Mi nut e s ,J une5 , 2 01 4;i d. ,a tpp.197201 .

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a ndho wt hi sc o ul dha v ebe e nde t r i me nt a lt ot henat i o na li nt e r e s t . I nt heJ BC’ so r i g i na lc o mme nt ,t he de t a i l so ft he Chi e fJ us t i c e ’ sc l a i m a ga i ns t J ar d e l e z a ’ si nt e gr i t ywe r ec o uc he di ng e ne r a lt e r ms .Thepar t i c u l a r st he r e o fwe r e o nl ys u pp l i e dt ot heCo ur ti nt heJ BC’ sSup pl e me nt a lCo mme nt Re p l y .Ap pa r e n t l y , t heJ BCa c c e d e dt oJ ar d e l e z a ’ sd e ma ndt oma ket hea c c us a t i o nsa g a i ns thi mp ub l i c . Att heo ut s e t ,t heJBC de c l i ne dt or ai s et hefinepo i nt so ft hei nt e gr i t yque s t i o ni n i t so r i g i nalCo mme ntduet oi t ss i g ni fic a ntbe ar i ngont hec o unt r y ’ sf o r e i g nr e l at i o ns andnat i o nals e c ur i t y .Ata nyr a t e ,t heCo ur tr e s t r a i nsi t s e l ff r o m de l v i ngi nt ot he de t a i l st he r e o fi nt hi sdi s p o s i t i o n.Thec o n fide nt i a lna t ur eo ft hedo c u me ntc i t e d t he r e i n,whi c hr e q ui r e st heo b s e r v a nc eo fut mo s tp r ud e nc e ,p r e c l ud ead i s c us s i o n t hatma ypo s s i b l ya ffe c tt hec o unt r y ’ spo s i t i o ni nape ndi ngdi s p ut e . Bet ha ta si tma y ,t heCo ur tha st or e s o l v et hes t a ndi ngque s t i o ns :Do e st heo r i g i na l i n v o c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 i n v o l v ea q ue s t i o no nJ ar d e l e z a ’ s i nt e gr i t y ?Do e shi sado p t i o no fas p e c i ficl e g als t r a t e g yi nt heha ndl i ngo fac a s e b r i ngf o r t har e l e v a nta ndl o g i c a lc h al l e ng eag ai ns thi smo r alc har a c t e r ?Do e st he “ unani mi t yr ul e”appl yi nc as es wher et he mai n poi nt ofc ont ent i on i st he pr o f e s s i o na lj udg me n s t ansc ha r g e so ri mpl i c a t i o nso fi mmo r a lo rc o r r up tb e ha v i o r ? TheCo ur ta ns we r st he s eq ue s t i o nsi nt hene g a t i v e . Whi l eChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e noc l a i mst ha tt hei n v o c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC009 was no tbor ne outofa mer e var i anc e ofl egalopi ni on butby an “ ac tof di s l o y a l t y ”c o mmi t t e db yJ ar de l e z ai nt heha ndl i ngo fac a s e ,t hef a c tr e ma i nst ha t t heb as i sf o rhe ri nv o c a t i o no ft her ul ewast he“ di s a gr e e me nt ”i nl e g als t r a t e g ya s e x p r e s s e db yag r o upo fi nt e r n at i o na ll a wy e r s .Theapp r o a c ht a ke nb yJ ar de l e z ai n t hatc a s ewaso ppo s e dt ot hatpr e f e r r e db yt hel e galt e am.Fo rs a i dr e a s o n,c r i t i c i s m wa s hur l e da g ai ns thi s“ i nt e g r i t y . ”The i nv o c a t i o no ft he “ una ni mi t yr u l e ”o n i nt e gr i t yt r a c e si t sr o o t st ot hee x e r c i s eo fhi sdi s c r e t i o n asa l a wy e randno t hi ng e l s e .No

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c o nne c t i o n wase s t a bl i s he dl i nki nghi sc ho i c eo fal e g als t r at e g yt oat r e a c he r o u s i nt e ntt ot r o unc eupo nt hec o unt r y ’ si nt e r e s t so rt obe t r a yt heCo ns t i t ut i o n. Ve r i l y ,di s agr e e me nti nl e g alo pi ni o ni sbutano r mal ,i fno tane s s e nt i alf o r mo f , i nt er ac t i on among me mber s oft he l eg al c ommuni t y .A l awye r has c ompl e t e di s c r e t i o no nwha tl e g als t r a t e g yt oe mp l o yi nac a s ee nt r u s t e dt ohi m2 8pr o v i de d t hathel i v e supt ohi sdut yt os e r v ehi sc l i e ntwi t hc o mpe t e nc ea nddi l i g e nc e ,a nd t hath ee x e r thi sbe s te ffo r t st opr o t e c tt hei nt e r e s t so fhi sc l i e ntwi t hi nt hebo unds o ft he l a w.Co ns o na nt l y ,a l a wy e ri s no tan i ns u r e ro fv i c t o r yf o rc l i e nt s he r e p r e s e nt s .An i nf a l l i b l eg r a s po fl e g alpr i nc i pl e sa ndt e c hni q ueb yal a wy e ri sa ut o pi a ni de a l .St r i ppe do fa c l e a rs ho wi ng o fg r o s sne g l e c t ,i ni q ui t y ,o ri mmo r a l pur p o s e ,as t r a t e g yo fal e g a lmi ndr e ma i nsal e g a lt a c t i ca c c e p t a bl et os o meand de pl o r a bl et oo t he r s . I thasnodi r e c tbe ar i ngo nhi smo r a lc h oi c e s . Ass ho wni nt hemi nut e s ,t heo t he rJBC me mbe r se x pr e s s e dt he i rr e s e r v at i o nso n whe t her t he gr ound i nvoked by Chi efJus t i c e Ser eno c oul d be c l as s i fied as a “ q ue s t i o no fi nt e g r i t y ”unde rSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 . 2 9The s er e s e r v a t i o ns we r ee v i de nt l ys o u r c e df r o mt hef a c tt ha tt he r ewa snoc l e a ri nd i c a t i o nt ha tt he t ac t i cwasa“ br a i nc h i l d”o fJar d e l e z a,asi tmi g htha v ebe e nac o l l e c t i v ei de ab yt he l e g a lt e a m whi c hi ni t i a l l ys o u ghtadi ffe r e ntma nne ro fpr e s e n t i ngt hec o unt r y ’ s a r g ume n t s ,a ndt he r ewa snos ho wi nge i t he ro fac o r r up tp ur p o s eo n hi spa r t . 3 0 Ev e n Chi e fJ us t i c eSe r e nowa s no tc e r t a i nt ha tJ ar d e l e z a ’ sac t swe r eur g e db y po l i t i c ki ngo rl ur e db ye x t r ane o uspr o mi s e s . 3 1Be s i de s ,t hePr e s i de nt ,whoha st he fina ls a yo nt hec o nduc to ft hec o unt r y ’ sadv o c a c yi nt hec a s e ,ha sg i v e nnos i g ns t hatJar de l e z a’ sac t i o nc o ns t i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 28 Mat t usv .Vi l l as e c a,A. C.No .7 92 2,Oc t o b e r1 ,2 01 3,7 06SCRA4 77 . 2 9 Mi nut e s ,J une5 , 2 01 4 R ; o l l o ,p.199.

I d. 30 3 1 Mi nut e s ,J une1 6,2 01 4;i d. ,atp.203.

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t ut e ddi s l o y al t yo rabe t r a y alo ft hec o unt r y ’ st r us ta ndi nt e r e s t .Whi l et hi spo i nt do e sno te nt ai lt hato nl yt hePr e s i de ntma yc hal l e ng eJar d e l e z a’ sdo ubt f uli nt e gr i t y , i ti sc o mmo n s e n si c a lt oa s s ume t ha the i si nt he b e s tpo s i t i o nt os u s p e c ta t r e a c h e r o usag e nda .Ther e c o r dsar eb e r e f to fan yi nf o r ma t i o nt ha ti ndi c a t e st hi s s u s pi c i o n.I nf a c t ,t heCo mme nto ft heEx e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r ye x p r e s s l y pr a y e df o r Jar de l e z a’ si nc l us i o ni nt hedi s put e ds ho r tl i s t . TheCo ur tno t e st hez e a ls h o wnb yt heChi e fJ us t i c er e g a r d i ngi nt e r na t i o na lc a s e s , g i v e nhe rp a r t i c i p at i o ni nt hePI ATCO c a s ea ndt heBe l g i a n Dr e d g i ngc a s e .He r e ff o r t si n t he d e t e r mi na t i o n o fJ a r d e l e z a ’ sp r o f e s s i o n al b a c k g ro und , whi l e c o mme n da b l e ,ha v eno tp r o d uc e dap at e n td e mo n s t r a t i o no fac o n ne c t i o nb e t we e n t hea c tc o mp l a i ne do fa ndhi si nt e g r i t ya sape r s o n .No ne t he l e s s ,t heCo ur tc a nno t c o ns i de rhe ri nv o c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09a sc o nf o r ma bl ywi t hi nt he c o nt e mpl a t i o no ft her ul e .Tof a l lunde rSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09 ,t he r emus t b eas ho wi ng t ha tt he a c tc o mp l a i ne do fi s ,a tt he l e a s t ,l i nk e dt ot he mo r a l c ha r a c t e ro ft he p e r s o na nd no tt o hi sj ud g me n ta sa p r o f e s s i o n al .Wha tt hi s di s po s i t i o npe r c e i v e s ,t he r e f o r e ,i st hei nappl i c a bi l i t yo fSe c t i o n2,Rul e10o fJBC009t ot heo r i g i nalgr o undo fi t si nv o c at i o n. As pr e v i o us l y me nt i o ne d,Chi e fJus t i c e Se r e no r ai s e dt he i s s ue so fJar de l e z a’ s al l e g ede x t r amar i t alaffai randac t so fi ns i de r t r a di ng f o rt hefir s tt i meo nl y dur i ng t heJ une3 0 ,2 0 14me e t i ngo ft heJ BC.Asc a nb eg l e a ne df r o mt hemi nut e so ft he J une30 ,2 01 4me e t i ng ,t hei nc l us i o no ft he s ei s s ue sha di t so r i g i nf r o m ne ws p ape r r e p o r t st ha tt he Chi e fJ us t i c e mi g ht r a i s ei s s ue so f“ i mmo r a l i t y ”a g a i ns t J ar d e l e z a . 3 2TheChi e fJ us t i c et he nde duc e dt hatt he“ i mmo r a l i t y ”i s s u er e f e r r e dt o by t he medi a mi ghthavebee nt he i nci dent st hatc oul d havet r ans pi r ed when J ar d e l e z awa ss t i l lt heGe ne r a lCo uns e lo fSa nMi g ue lCo r po r a t i o n.Shes t a t e dt ha t i nasmuc h _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 2 Mi nut e s ,J une3 0 ,2 0 14 .

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ast heJBChadt hedut yt o“ t akee v e r ypo s s i bl es t e pt ov e r i f yt h eq ual i fic a t i o no ft he appl i c a nt s , ”i tmi mi g hta swe l lbec l ar i fie d. 33

Dot h e s ei s s ue sf a l lwi t hi nt hepur v i e wo f“ q ue s t i o nso ni nt e gr i t y ”unde rSe c t i o n2 , Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 ?TheCo ur tno d si na s s e n t .The s ea r ev a l i di s s ue s . Thi sac q ui e s c e nc ei sc o ns i s t e ntwi t ht heCo ur t ’ sdi s c us s i o n s ,s upr a.Unl i ket hefir s t g r o undwhi c hc e nt e r e do nJ ar de l e z a ’ ss t a nc eo nt het a c t i c a la ppr o a c hi np ur s u i ng t hec as ef o rt hego v er nme nt ,t hec l ai mso fani l l i c i tr e l at i o ns hi pandac t so fi ns i de r t r a di ngb e arac a ndi dr e l a t i o nt ohi smo mo r a lc h ar a c t e r .J ur i s p r ude nc e 3 4i sr e pl e t e wi t hc a s e swhe r ea l a wy e r ’ sde l i be r a t epa r t i c i pat i o ni ne x t r a ma r i t a la ffa i r swas c o ns i de r e dasadi s g r ac e f uls t ai no no ne ’ se t hi c a landmo r a lpr i nc i pl e s .Thebo t t o m l i nei st ha tal a wy e rwhoe ng ag e si ne x t r ama r i t a la ffai r si sde e me me dt oha v ef a i l e dt o a dhe r et ot hee x ac t i ngs t a nd ar d so fmo r a l i t ya ndd e c e n c ywh whi c he v e r yme mb mb e ro f t heJ udi c i a r yi se xpe c t e dt oo b s e r v e .I nf a c t ,e v e nr e l a t i o ns hi pswh whi c h ha v ene v e r g o nephy s i c a lo ri nt i ma t ec o ul ds t i l lb es ub j e c tt oc ha r g e so fi mmo r a l i t y ,whe na l awye r ,who i smar r i ed,admi mi t st o havi ng a r el at i onshi p whi c h wasmor et han pr o f e s s i o na l ,mo r et ha na c q ua i nt a nc e s h i p ,mo r et ha nf r i e nd l y . 3 5Ast heCo ur tha s he l d :I mmo r a l i t y ha sno tb e e nc o n fine dt os e xu a lm ma a t t e r s ,b uti nc l ud esc o n duc t i nc o ns i s t e ntwi t hr e c t i t ude ,o ri ndi c a t i v eo fc o r r up t i o n,i nde c e nc y ,de pr a v i t y and d i s s o l ut e n e s s ;o ri s wi l l f ul , fla g r a n t ,o rs ha me me l e s sc o n duc ts ho wi ng mo r a l i ndi ffer enc et o opi ni ons of r es pec t abl e memb mber s of t he c omm mmuni t y and an i nc o n s i de r a t eat t i t udet o wa r dg o o do r de ra ndpub l i cwe l f a r e . 36Mo r a lc har a c t e ri s no t

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 33 Ro l l o ,p.209.

v a r r av .At t y .Eal a,555Phi mani e gov . 34 Gue l .713;529SCRA 1( 2007) ;and Sama At t y .Fe r r e r ,5 78Phi l .1 ;5 55SCRA1( 2 00 8) . 35 Ge r o yv .Ho n.Cal de r o n,5 93Phi l .5 85 ,5 97 ;5 73SCRA1 88 ,2 02( 2 00 8) . 36 Judg eFl o r e nc i aD.Se al anaAbbuv .Do r e z aLaur e nc i anaHur añoandPaul e e n Subi do,5 58Phi l .2 4;5 31SCRA2 89( 2 00 7) .

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as ub j e c t i v et e r mb uto n et ha tc o r r e s po ndst oo bj e c t i v er e a l i t y . 37Toha v eag o o d mo r a lc har a c t e r ,ape r s o nmus tha v et hepe r s o nalc har a c t e r i s t i co fbe i ngg oo d.I ti s no te no ug ht ha theo rs h e ha sa g o o dr e p ut a t i o n,t ha ti s ,t heo p i ni o ng e ne r a l l y e nt e r t a i ne da bo utape r s o no rt hee s t i ma t ei nwhi c hheo rs hei she l db yt hepub l i c i nt hepl a c ewhe r es hei skno wn. 3 8He nc e ,l a wy e r sa r eata l lt i me ss u bj e c tt ot he wa t c hf ulp ub l i ce y eandc o mm mmuni t ya pp r o b a t i o n. 3 9 The e l e me me nt o f“ wi l l i ng ne s s ”t ol i ng e ri ni nde l i c a t er e l a t i o ns h i p si mput e sa we akne s si no ne ’ sv al ue s ,s e l f c o n t r o la ndo nt hewho l e ,s e ns eo fh o no r ,no to n l y be c a us ei ti sabo l ddi s r e g ar do ft hes a nc t i t yofmar r i ag eando ft hel a w,butbe c a us e i te r o de st hepubl i c ’ sc o nfide nc ei nt heJ udi c i ar y .Thi si snol o ng e rama t t e ro fan ho ne s tl a ps ei nj udg me me ntb utadi s s o l ut ee x hi b i t i o no fdi s r e s p e c tt o war ds a c r e dv o ws t a ke nbe f o r eGo da ndt hel a w. Ont heo t he rha nd,i ns i de rt r a di ngi sano ffe ns et ha ta s s a ul t st hei nt e g r i t yo fo ur v i t als e c ur i t i e sma mar ke t . 40Mani pul at i v ede v i c e sandde c e p t i v epr a c t i c e s ,i nc l udi ng i ns i d e rt r a di ng ,t hr o w a mo nk e y wr e nc hr i g hti nt ot he he a r to ft he s e c ur i t i e s i nd us t r y .Whe ns o me o n et r a de si nt hema ma r k e twi t hunf a i ra dv a nt a g ei nt hef o r mo f hi g hl yv al uabl es e c r e ti ns i dei nf o r ma mat i o n,al lo t he rpar t i c i pant sar ede f r a ude d.Al lo f t heme me c ha ni s ms msb e c o me mewo r t hl e s s .Gi v e ne no ug ho fs t o c kma r k e ts c a nd al sc o up l e d wi t ht her e l a t e dl o s so ff a i t hi nt hema r k e t ,s u c ha bus e sc o ul d pr e s a g eas e v e r e dr a i no fc a pi t al .Andi n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 37 To l e n t i nov .At t y . No r b e r t oMe Me n do z a,A. C.No .5 15 1 ,Oc t o b e r1 9 ,2 00 4,4 40SCRA 519. 38 Ga r r i dov .At t y .Ga r r i do,A. C.No.6593,Febr uary4,2010,611 SCRA 508: ht t p: / / s c . j udi c i ar y . go v . ph/ j ur i s pr ude nc e / 2010/ Fe br uar y 2010/ 6 59 3. ht m;l a s tv i s i t e dAug us t1 5,2 01 4.

Ma Mar i aVi c t o r i aVe nt ur av .At t y .Dani l oSams o n,A. 39 C.No.9608,No ve mber27 , 201 2, 686SCRA430 . 4 0 J us t i c e Ti ng a,Co n c u r r i ng Op i ni o n ,S ,Se c ur i t i e sand Exc hangeComm mmi s s i on v . I nt e r po r tRe s o ur c e sCo r po r at i o n,G. R.No .1 35 80 8,Oc t o b e r6,2 00 8,5 88Phi l .6 51 ; 567SCRA354( 2008) .

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v e s t o r swo ul de v e nt ua l l yf e e lmo r es e c u r ewi t ht he i rmo mo ne yi nv e s t e de l s e whe r e . 4 1I n i t sb ar e s te s s e nc e ,i ns i de rt r adi ng i nv o l v e st he t r a di ng o fs e c ur i t i e sb as e do n kno wl e dg eo fmat e r i ali nf o r ma ma t i o nno td i s c l o s e dt ot hepub l i catt het i me .Cl e a r l y , a na l l e g at i o no fi ns i de rt r adi ngi nv o l v e st hepr o p e ns i t yo fape r s o nt oe ng ag ei n f r a udul e ntac t i v i t i e st hatma ys p eako fhi smo mo r a lc har a c t e r . The s et wo i s s ue sc a nb ep r o p e r l yc a t e g o r i z e da s“ q ue s t i o nso ni nt e g r i t y ”und e r Se c t i o n2,Rul e10o fJBC009.The yf al lwi t hi nt heambi to f“ q ue s t i o nso ni nt e gr i t y . ” He nc e ,t he“ una ni mi t yr u l e ”ma ma yc o me mei nt oo p e r a t i o na st hes u bj e c tp r o v i s i o ni s wor ded.

TheAv ai l abi l i t yo fDuePr o c e s si nt hePr o c e e di ng so ft heJBC

I na dv o c a c yo fhi spo s i t i o n,J ar de l e z aa r g ue st ha t :1 ]hes ho ul dha v ebe e ni nf o r me me d o ft heac c us a t i o nsag ai ns thi mi nwr i t i ng ;2 ]hewasno tf ur ni s he dt heba s i so ft he a c c us a t i o ns ,t ha ti s ,“ av e r yc o nfid e nt i a ll e g a lme me mo mo r a nd um t ha tc l a r i fie st he i nt e gr i t yo bj e c t i o n” ;3]i ns t e ado fhe e di nghi sr e que s tf o rano ppo r t uni t yt ode f e nd hi ms e l f ,t he J BC c o ns i d e r e d hi sr e f us a lt oe x p l a i n,d ur i ng t he J une 3 0,2 01 4 me e t i ng ,asawai v e ro fhi sr i g htt oans we rt heuns pe c i fie dal l e gat i o ns ;4]t hev o t i ng o ft heJBC wasr a i l r o a de d;5]t heal l e g e d“ di s c r e t i o nar y ”n at ur eo fSe c t i o ns3a nd4 o fJ BC0 09 i sne g a t e db yt hes u bs e q ue nte ffe c t i v i t yo fJ BC0 10 ,Se c t i o n1 ( 2 )o f whi c h pr o v i de sf o ra 1 0da ype r i o df r o mt hepub l i c a t i o no ft hel i s to fc a ndi da t e s wi t hi nwhi c ha nyc o mp mp l a i nto ro p p o s i t i o na g ai ns tac a nd i d at ema ma yb efil e dwi t ht he J BC Se c r e t a r y ;6 ]Se c t i o n2o fJ BC01 0r e q ui r e sc o mpl a i nt sa ndo ppo s i t i o nst ob ei n wr i t i ngandunde ro a t h,c o p i e so fwhi c hs ha l lb ef ur ni s he dt hec a ndi da t ei no r d e rf o r hi mt ofi l eh i sc o mm mme ntwi t hi nfiv e( 5 )

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 41 Se c u r i t i e sa nd Ex c hang eCo mm mmi s s i o nv .I nt e r p o r tRe s o ur c e sCo r po r at i o n, n,G. R. No .1 3 58 0 8,Oc t o b e r6 ,2 0 08 ,5 67SCRA 3 5 4,c i t i ngCo l i nCha pma n Ho ,Ho wt heSt o c k Ma Mar ke tWo r ks ,pp.151152( 1988e d. ) .

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da y sf r o mr e c e i p tt he r e o f ;a nd 7 ]Se c t i o ns3t o6o fJ BC0 10pr e s c r i b eal o g i c a l , r e a s o na bl ea nd s e q ue nt i a ls e r i e so fs t e p si ns e c ur i ng a c a ndi d at e ’ sr i g htt odue p r o c e s s . TheJ BC c o unt e r st he s eb yi ns i s t i ngt ha ti ti sno to b l i g e dt oa ffo r dJ ar de l e z at he r i g htt oahe ar i ngi nt hef ul fil l me nto fi t sd ut yt or e c o mme nd.TheJ BC,a sab o dy , i s no tr e q ui r e db yl a wt oho l d he a r i ng so nt heq ua l i fic a t i o nso ft heno mi ne e s .The pr o c e s sb ywhi c ha no b j e c t i o ni sma deb as e do nSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09i sn o t j udi c i al ,quas i j udi c i al ,o rf ac t findi ng ,f o ri tdo e sno tai m t ode t e r mi neg ui l to r i nno c e nc ea ki nt oac r i mi na lo ra dmi ni s t r a t i v eo ffe ns eb utt oas c e r t ai nt hefit ne s so f an appl i c antv i s à v i st he r e q ui r e me nt sf o rt he p o s i t i o n.Be i ng s uig e ne r i s ,t he pr o c e e d i ng so ft heJ BC dono tc o nf e rt her i g ht si ns i s t e dup o nb yJa r d e l e z a .Hema y no te x ac tt heappl i c a t i o no fr ul e so fpr o c e dur ewhi c har e ,att hemo s t ,di s c r e t i o nar y o ro pt i o nal .Fi nal l y ,Jar d e l e z ar e f us e dt os he dl i g hto nt heo bj e c t i o nsag ai ns thi m. Dur i ngt heJune3 0,2 01 4me e t i ng ,hedi dno ta dd r e s st hei s s ue s ,b uti ns t e a dc ho s e t ot r e a do n hi sv i e wt ha tt heChi e fJ us t i c eha d unj us t i fia bl yb e c o mehi sac c us e r , pr o s e c ut o ra ndj udg e . Thec r ux o ft hei s s uei so nt he a v a i l a bi l i t yo ft her i g htt od uep r o c e s si nJ BC pr o c e e di ng s .Af t e rat e di o usr e v i e wo ft hepa r t i e s ’ r e s pe c t i v ea r g ume nt s ,t heCo ur t c o nc l ude st ha tt her i g htt oduepr o c e s si sa v ai l a bl eandt he r e b yd e ma nda bl easa ma t t e ro fr i g ht . TheCo ur td o e sno tb r us has i d et heuni q uea nds p e c i a lna t ur eo fJ BC p r o c e e d i ng s . I nd e e d,t he ya r edi s t i nc tf r o mc r i mi na lp r o c e e d i ng swhe r et hefindi ngo fg ui l to r i nnoc enc e oft he ac c us ed i s s i ne q ua no n.The J BC’ sc o ns t i t ut i o na ldut yt o r e c o mme n dq ua l i fie dno mi ne e st ot hePr e s i d e ntc a nno tb ec o mp ar e dt ot hed ut yo f t hec o ur t so fl a wt ode t e r mi net hec o mmi s s i o no fa no ffe ns ea nda s c r i b et hes a met o a na c c us e d ,c o ns i s t e ntwi t he s t a bl i s h e dr u l e so ne v i d e nc e .Ev e nt heq ua nt um o f e v i de nc er e qui r e di nc r i mi nalc a s e si sf arf r o mt hedi s c r e t i o nac c o r d edt ot heJ BC.

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TheCo ur t ,ho we v e r ,c o u l dno tac c e p t ,l o c k,s t o c ka ndb ar r e l ,t hear g ume ntt ha ta n appl i c ant ’ s ac c es st ot he r i ght s affor ded under t he due pr oc es sc l aus ei s di s c r e t i onary on t he part of t he JBC. Whi l et he f ac e t s of c r i mi nal 42 and admi ni s t r a t i v e 43duepr o c e s sa r eno ts t r i c t l yappl i c a bl et oJ BCpr o c e e d4 2 Ar t i c l e3 o ft he 1 9 87 Co n s t i t ut i o ng ua r a nt e e st he r i g ht so ft he a c c us e d , i nc l udi ngt her i g htt ob epr e s ume di nno c e n tunt i lpr o v e ng ui l t y ,t her i g htt oe nj o y duep r o c e s sunde rt hel a w,a ndt her i g htt oas p e e dy ,pub l i ct r i a l .Tho s eac c u s e d mus tbe i nf o r me do ft he c har ge s agai ns tt hem and mus tbe gi ve n ac c es st o c o mp e t e nt ,i nd e pe nd e nt c o uns e l ,a nd t he o p po r t uni t yt op o s tba i l ,e x c e p ti n i ns t a nc e s whe r et he r ei ss t r o n ge v i d e nc et ha tt he c r i me c o u l dr e s ul ti nt he ma x i mum p uni s hme n to fl i f ei mp r i s o n me n t Ha . be asc o r pus pr o t e c t i o ni se xt e nde dt o al le x c epti nc a s e sofi nv as i o no rr e be l l i o n.Dur i ngat r i al ,t heac c us e dar ee nt i t l e dt o b epr e s e nta te v e r ypr o c e e di ng ,t oc o mpe lwi t ne s s e s ,t ot e s t i f ya ndc r o s s e x ami ne t he ma ndt ot e s t i f yo rb ee x e mp ta sawi t ne s s .Fi na l l y ,a l lar eg ua r a nt e e df r e e d o m f r o m do ubl ej e o par d yand,i fc o n vi c t e d,t her i g htt oappe al . 4 3( 1 )Ther i g htt oahe a r i ngwhi c hi nc l ude st her i g hto ft hep ar t yi nt e r e s t e do r a ffe c t e dt opr e s e n th i so wnc a s ea nds u bmi te v i d e nc ei ns u ppo r tt he r e o f . ( 2) No to nl ymus tt hepart ybegi ve n an oppor t uni t yt opr es enthi sc aseandt o a dduc ee v i de nc et e nd i ngt oe s t a bl i s ht her i g ht swhi c hhea s s e r t sbutt het r i b una l mus tc o ns i de rt hee v i de nc epr e s e n t e d. ( 3) Whi l et hedut yt ode l i be r a t edo e sno ti mpo s et heo b l i g at i o nt ode c i der i g ht ,i t d o e si mp l y a ne c e s s i t y whi c hc a nno tb ed i s r e g a r d e d ,na me l y ,t ha to fh a v i ng s o me t hi ngt os uppo r ti t sde c i s i o n.Ade c i s i o nwi t habs o l ut e l yno t hi ngt os uppo r ti ti s anul l i t y ,apl ac ewhe ndi r e c t l yat t ac he d. ( 4 ) No to nl ymus tt he r eb es o mee v i d e nc et os up po r tafind i ngo rc o nc l us i o nbutt he e v i de nc emus tb e“ s ubs t a nt i al . ”Sub s t ant i a le v i de nc ei smo r et ha name r es c i nt i l l a .

I tme a nss uc hr e l e v a nte v i d e nc ea sar e a s o n ab l emi ndmi g hta c c e p ta sa de q ua t et o s uppo r tac o n c l us i o n. ( 5 ) Thed e c i s i o nmus tb er e nd e r e do nt hee v i de nc ep r e s e nt e datt heh e ar i ng ,o ra t l e as tc o nt ai ne di nt her e c o r danddi s c l o s e dt ot hepar t i e saffe c t e d.

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i ng s ,t he i rpe c ul i ar i t yi si ns uffic i e ntt oj us t i f yt hec o nc l us i o nt hatd uepr o c e s si sno t demandabl e . I nJBC pr o c e e di ng s ,ana s pi r i ngj udg eo rj us t i c ej us t i fie shi squal i fic a t i o nsf o rt he o ffic ewhe nhepr e s e nt sp r o o fo fhi ss c ho l a s t i cr e c o r ds , wo r ke x pe r i e nc ea ndl a udab l e c i t at i o ns .Hi sgo ali st oe s t abl i s ht hathei squal i fie df o rt heo ffic eappl i e df o r .The J BC t he nt a ke se v e r yp o s s i b l es t e pt ov e r i f ya na pp l i c a nt ’ st r a c kr e c o r df o rt he pur p o s eo fde t e r mi ni ngwhe t he ro rno thei sq ual i fie df o rno mi na t i o n.I ta s c e r t a i ns t hef ac t o r swhi c he nt i t l eanappl i c a ntt obe c o meapa r to ft her o s t e rf r o m whi c ht he Pr e s i de nta ppo i nt s . Thef a c tt ha tapr o c e e di ngi ss uig e ne r i s andi si mpr e s s e dwi t hdi s c r e t i o n,ho we v e r , do e sno ta ut o ma t i c a l l yde ni g r a t ean a ppl i c a nt ’ se nt i t l e me ntt oduepr o c e s s .I ti s we l l e s t abl i s he di nj ur i s pr ude nc et hatd i s c i pl i nar ypr o c e e di ng sag ai ns tl a wy e r sar e s uig e ne r i si nt hatt he yar ene i t he rpur e l yc i v i lno rpur e l yc r i mi nal ;t he yi nv o l v e i nv e s t i g at i o nsbyt heCo ur ti nt ot hec o nduc to fo neofi t so ffic e r s ,no tt het r i alo fan ac t i o no ras ui t . 44He nc e ,i nt hee x er c i s eo fi t sdi s c i pl i nar ypo we r s ,t heCo ur tme r e l y c a l l sup o n ame mb e ro ft heBa rt oa c c o u ntf o rh i sa c t ua t i o n sa san o ffic e ro ft he Co ur twi t ht hee ndi nv i e wo fpr e s e r v i ngt hepur i t yo ft hel e g alpr o f e s s i o na ndt he pr o p era ndho ne s tadmi ni s t r a t i o no fj us t i c eb ypur g i ngt hepr o f e s s i o n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ( 6) TheCo ur to fI ndus t r i alRe l a t i o nso ran yo fi t sj udg e s ,t he r e f o r e , mus ta c to ni t s o rhi so wni nde pe nde ntc o n s i de r a t i o no ft hel a wa ndf a c t so ft hec o nt r o v e r s y , a ndno t s i mpl yac c e ptt hevi e wso fas ubo r d i nat ei nar r i v i ngatade c i s i o n. ( 7) TheCo ur to fI ndus t r i alRe l at i o nss ho ul d,i nal lc o nt r o v e r s i alque s t i o ns ,r e nde r i t sde c i s i o ni ns u c h a ma nne rt ha tt hep ar t i e st ot hep r o c e e d i ng c a nk no wt he v a r i o u si s s ue si n v o l v e d ,a nd t he r e a s o n s f o rt he d e c i s i o n sr e n de r e d . The pe r f o r ma nc eo ft hi sdut yi si ns e p ar a b l ef r o mt heaut ho r i t yc o n f e r r e dupo ni t . A ( ng Ti b ayv .CI R,69Phi l .635[ 1940] ) .

FeA.Yl ay av .At t y .Gl e nnCar l o sGac o t t,A. 44 C.No .6 47 5,J anua r y30 ,2 01 3,6 89 SCRA4 53 ,c i t i n P g e nav .Apar i c i o,5 22Phi l .5 12 ;5 25SCRA4 44( 2 00 7) .

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o fme mb e r swho ,b yt he i rmi s c o nd uc t ,ha v ep r o v e dt he ms e l v e sn ol o ng e rwo r t h yt o b ee nt r u s t e d wi t ht he dut i e sa nd r e s p o ns i b i l i t i e spe r t a i ni ng t ot he o ffic eo fa n a t t o r n e y .I ns u c hpo s t ur e ,t he r ec a nb enoo c c a s i o nt os pe a ko fac o mp l a i na nto ra pr o s e c ut o r . 4 5 On t hewho l e ,di s c i pl i na r yp r o c e e d i ng sa r ea c t ua l l ya i me dt ov e r i f y ual i fie d andfinal l yde t e r mi ne ,i fal a wy e rc har g e di ss t i l lq t obe ne fitf r o mt her i g ht s a ndpr i v i l e g e st hatme mbe r s hi pi nt hel e g alpr o f e s s i o ne v o ke . No t wi t hs t andi ngbe i ng“ ac l as so fi t so wn, ”t her i g htt obehe ar dandt oe x pl ai no ne ’ s s e l fi sa v ai l i ng .TheCo ur ts ubs c r i be st ot hevi e wt hati nc a s e swhe r eano bj e c t i o nt o anappl i c a nt ’ squal i fic a t i o nsi sr a i s e d,t heo bs e r v anc eo fduepr o c e s sne i t he rne g at e s no rr e n de r si l l us o r yt hef ul fil l me nto ft hed ut yo fJBCt or e c o mme nd.Thi sh ol di ngi s no ta ne nc r o a c h me nto ni t sd i s c r e t i o ni nt he no mi na t i o n pr o c e s s .Ac t ua l l y ,i t s a dhe r e nc et ot hepr e c e p t so fduepr o c e s ss uppo r t sande nr i c he st hee x e r c i s eo fi t s di s c r e t i o n.Whe na nappl i c a nt ,whov ehe me nt l yde ni e st het r ut ho ft heo bj e c t i o ns ,i s a ffo r de dt hec h anc et opr o t e s t ,t heJBCi sp r e s e nt e dwi t hac l e a r e runde r s t a ndi ngo f t hes i t ua t i o ni tf a c e s ,t he r e b yg ua r d i ng t heb o d yf r o m ma ki ng a n uns o u nd a nd c a pr i c i o usa s s e s s me nto fi nf o r ma t i o nb r o ug htb ef o r ei t .TheJBC i sno te x pe c t e dt o s t r i c t l ya ppl yt her ul e so fe v i de nc ei ni t sa s s e s s me nto fa no b j e c t i o na ga i ns ta n a ppl i c a nt .J us tt hes a me ,t ohe a rt hes i deo ft hepe r s o nc ha l l e ng e dc o mpl i e swi t ht he di c t at e so ff ai r ne s sf o rt heo nl yt e s tt hata ne x e r c i s eofdi s c r e t i o nmus ts ur mo unti s t ha to fs o u ndne s s . A mo r e pr ag mat i ct ake o nt he mat t e ro fdue pr o c e s si n JBC pr o c e e di ng sal s o c o mp e l st he Co ur tt oe x a mi ne i t sc ur r e ntr u l e s .The p l e a di ng so ft he p ar t i e s ment i oned t wo:1]JBC009 and 2]JBC010.The f or merpr o vi dest he f ol l o wi ng pr o v i s i o nspe r t i ne ntt ot hi sc as e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 45 I d.

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SECTI ON 1. Ev i de nc eo fi nt e gr i t y. —TheCo unc i ls hal lt a kee v e r ypo s s i b l es t e pt o v er i f yt heappl i c a nt ’ sr e c or do fa ndr e put at i o nf o rho ne s t y , i nt e gr i t y ,i nc o r r upt i bi l i t y , i r r e pr o a c ha bl ec o nduc t ,a ndfide l i t yt os o undmo r ala nde t hi c a ls t anda r ds .Fo rt hi s pur p o s e ,t heappl i c a nts ha l ls ub mi tt ot heCo unc i lc e r t i fic a t i o nso rt e s t i mo ni a l s t he r e o ff r o m r e p ut a b l eg o v e r nme n to ffic i a l sa nd no n g o v er nme n t a lo r g a ni z a t i o n s , a ndc l e ar anc e sf r o mt hec o ur t s ,Na t i o na lBur e a uo fI nv e s t i g at i o n,po l i c e ,a ndf r o m s u c ho t he ra g e nc i e sa st heCo unc i lma yr e q ui r e . Bac kgr o undc he c k. —TheCo unc i lmay o r d e radi s c r e e tb ac kg r o und SECTI ON 2. c he c ko nt he i nt e g r i t y ,r e put a t i o na nd c ha r a c t e ro ft he a ppl i c a nt ,a nd r e c e i v e f e e d ba c kt he r e o nf r o m t hepub l i c ,whi c hi ts ha l lc he c ko rv e r i f yt ov a l i da t et he me r i t st he r e o f .

SECTI ON 3. Te s t i mo nyo fpar t i e s . —TheCounc i lmayr e c e i v ewr i t t e no ppo s i t i o n t oa na ppl i c a nto ng r o undo fhi smo r a lfi t n e s sand,a ti t sdi s c r e t i o n,t heCo unc i l

may r e c e i v et het e s t i mo nyo ft heo ppo s i t o ra tahe a r i ngc o nduc t e df o rt hepur p o s e , wi t hdueno t i c et ot heappl i c a ntwhos ha l lb ea l l o we dt oc r o s s e x ami net heo ppo s i t o r a ndt oo ffe rc o unt e r v a i l i nge v i de nc e . Ano ny mo us c o mpl ai nt s. —Anon ymo us c o mpl ai nt s ag ai ns t an SECTI ON 4. a ppl i c a nts ha l lno tb eg i v e nduec o ur s e ,unl e s st he r ea ppe ar so ni t sf a c eapr o b a bl e c a us es uffic i e ntt oe ng e nde rbe l i e ft ha tt hea l l e g a t i o nsma yb et r u e .I nt hel a t t e r c a s e ,t heCo unc i lma ye i t he rdi r e c tadi s c r e e ti nv e s t i g at i o no rr e q ui r et heappl i c a nt t oc o mme ntt he r e o ni nwr i t i ngo rd ur i ngt hei nt e r v i e w.[ Emp ha s e sSupp l i e d ] Whi l et he“ una ni mi t yr ul e ”i n v o k e da g ai ns thi mi sf o undi nJ BC0 09 ,J ar d e l e z a ur g e st heCo ur tt oho l dt ha tt hes ub s e que ntr ul e ,J BC0 10 , 4 6s q ua r e l yappl i e st ohi s c a s e .Ent i t l e da sa“ Rul et oFur t he rPr o mo t ePubl i cAwa r e ne s so fandAc c e s s i bi l i t y t ot hePr o c e e di ng so ft heJudi c i a landBarCo unc i l , ” _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

4 6 Whi c ht o o ke ffe c to nOc t o b e r1 ,2 00 2.

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JBC010 r ec ogni ze st he nee df or t r ans pare nc y and publ i c awar enes s ofJBC pr o c e e di ng s .I npur s ua nc et he r e o f ,JBC01 0wa sc r a f t e di nt hi swi s e :

ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i ls h al ld e l i b e r a t et ode t e r mi newhoo f SECTI ON 1. TheJ pr i ma f ac i et t he c andi dat e s me e t he q ua l i fic a t i o ns f o rt he p o s i t i o n und e r c o ns i de r at i o n.Fo rt hi spur po s e ,i ts hal lpr e par eal o ngl i s to fc a ndi dat e swho pr i ma f ac i e appe art oha v eal lt hequal i fic a t i o ns . TheSe c r e t a r yo ft heCo unc i ls h al lt he nc a us et obepub l i s h e di nt wo( 2 )ne ws p a pe r s o fg e ne r alc i r c ul at i o nano t i c eo ft hel o ngl i s to fc a ndi dat e si nal phabe t i c a lo r de r . The no t i c es h al li nf o r m t he p ub l i ct ha t any c o mpl a i nto ro p po s i t i o na g ai ns ta c a ndi d at ema yb efil e dwi t ht heSe c r e t a r ywi t hi nt e n( 1 0)d ay st he r e o f . o mp l a i nto ro p p o s i t i o nshal ro a t ha ndi n SECTI ON 2. Thec lbei nwri t i ng,unde t e n( 10)l e gi bl ec o pi e s ,t o ge t he rwi t hi t ss uppo r t i nganne x e s .I ts hal ls t r i c t l yr e l at e t ot he q ua l i fic a t i o ns o ft he c a nd i d at eo rl a c kt he r e o f ,a sp r o v i d e df o ri nt he Co ns t i t ut i o n,s t a t ut e s ,a ndt heRul e so ft heJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l ,a swe l la s r e s o l ut i o nso rr e g ul at i o nspr o mul g at e db yi t . TheSe c r e t a r yo ft heCo unc i ls f ur ni s ht hec a ndi dat eac o p yo ft hec o mpl a i nto r hal l

l o p po s i t i o na ga i ns thi m.Thec a nd i d at eshal ha v efiv e( 5 )da y sf r o mr e c e i p tt he r e o f wi t hi nwhi c ht ofil ehi sc o mme ntt ot hec o mpl a i nto ro p po s i t i o n,i fhes ode s i r e s .

SECTI ON 3. TheJudi l c i alandBarCounci lshal fixad at ewhe ni ts h al lme e ti n e x e c ut i v es e s s i o nt oc o ns i de rt heq ual i fic a t i o no ft hel o ngl i s to fc a ndi dat e sandt he c o mpl a i nto ro p po s i t i o na gai ns tt he m,i fan y .TheCo unc i lma y ,o ni t so wn,c o n duc ta di s c r e e ti nv e s t i g at i o no ft hebac k gr o undo ft hec andi dat e s .

Ont hebas i so fi t se v al uat i o no ft hequal i fic a t i o no ft hec andi dat e s ,t heCo unc i ls hal l pr e p ar et hes ho r t e rl i s to fc a ndi da t e swho mi td e s i r e st oi nt e r v i e wf o ri t sf ur t he r c o ns i de r at i o n.

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SECTI ON 4. TheSe c r e t a r yo ft heCo unc i ls h al la g ai nc a us et ob ep ub l i s h e dt he da t e so ft hei nt e r v i e wo fc a ndi da t e si nt hes h o r t e rl i s ti nt wo( 2 )ne ws p ape r so f g e ne r a lc i r c ul at i o n.I ts hal ll i ke wi s eb epo s t e di nt hewe bs i t e so ft heSupr e meCo ur t a ndt heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l . Thec andi dat e s ,aswe l last he i ro ppo s i t o r s ,shal bes e pa r a t e l yno t i fie do ft heda t e l andpl ac eo ft hei nt e r v i e w. nt e r v i e wss bec o nduc t e di npub l i c .Dur i ngt hei nt e r v i e w, SECTI ON 5. Thei hal l o nl yt heme mb e r so ft heCo unc i lc a na s kq ue s t i o nst ot hec a ndi da t e .Amongot her

t hi ngs,t hecandi dat ecan bemadet oexpl ai nt hecompl ai ntoropposi t i on agai nsthi m. t e rt hei nt e r v i e ws ,t heJud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i ls h al la g ai nme e t SECTI ON 6. Af i ne x e c ut i v es e s s i o nf o rt hefinalde l i be r a t i o no nt hes ho r tl i s to fc a ndi dat e swhi c h s ha l lb es e n tt ot he Offic eo ft he Pr e s i d e nta sa b a s i sf o rt he e x e r c i s eo ft he Pr e s i de nt i a lpo we ro fa pp o i nt me nt .[ Empha s e ss uppl i e d ] Ane ntt hei nt e r pr e t at i o no ft he s ee x i s t i ngr ul e s ,t heJBC c o nt e ndst hatSe c t i o ns3 a nd4,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09ar eme r e l ydi r e c t o r yi nna t ur ea sc a nb eg l e a ne df r o mt he us eo ft hewo r d“ ma y . ”Thus ,t hec o nduc to fahe a r i ngund e rRul e4o fJ BC0 09i s p e r mi s s i v ea nd / o rdi s c r e t i o na r yo nt he p ar to ft heJ BC.Ev e nt he c o nd uc to fa he a r i ngt ode t e r mi net hev e r a c i t yo fa no ppo s i t i o ni sdi s c r e t i o na r yf o rt he r ea r e wa ys ,be s i de sahe ar i ng ,t oas c e r t ai nt het r ut ho rf al s i t yo fal l e gat i o ns .Suc c i nc t l y , t hi sar g ume nts ug g e s t st ha tt heJ BC ha st hedi s c r e t i o nt oho l do rno tt oho l da he a r i ng whe na no b j e c t i o nt oa na pp l i c a nt ’ si nt e g r i t yi sr a i s e da nd t ha ti tma y r e s o r tt oo t he rme a nst oac c o mpl i s hi t so bj e c t i v e .Ne v e r t he l e s s ,J BC a dds ,“ wha ti s mandat o r y ,ho we v e r ,i st hati ft heJBC,i ni t sdi s c r e t i o n,r e c e i v e sat e s t i mo nyo fan o ppo s i t o ri nahe a r i ng ,dueno t i c es ha l lb eg i v e nt ot heappl i c a nta ndt hats ha l lbe r o s s e x a mi ne al l o we dt oc t heo ppo s i t o r . ” 47

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 47 JBCOr i gi nalCo mment R ;o l l o ,p.59.

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Ag ai n,t heCo ur tne i t he ri nt e ndst os t r i pt heJBC o fi t sdi s c r e t i o nt or e c o mme nd no mi ne e sno rpr o p o s e st ha tt heJ BCc o n duc taf ul l b l o wnt r i a lwhe no bj e c t i o nst oa n a ppl i c a t i o na r es ub mi t t e d.St i l l ,i ti s uns o und t os a yt ha t ,al lt o g e t he r ,t he o b s e r v a nc eo fduepr o c e s si sapa r to fJ BC’ sdi s c r e t i o n whe na no p po s i t i o nt oa n a pp l i c a t i o ni sma de o fr e c o r d .Whi l ei tma ys or e l yo n“ o t he rme a ns ”s uc ha s c har a c t e rc l e ar a nc e s ,t e s t i mo ni al s ,anddi s c r e e ti nv e s t i g at i o nt oai di ti nf o r mi nga j udg me nto fanappl i c ant ’ squal i fic at i o ns ,t heCo ur tc anno tac c e ptas i t uat i o nwhe r e J BC i sg i v e naf ul lr e i no nt hea pp l i c a t i o no fa f und ame n t a lr i g htwhe n e v e ra pe r s o n’ si nt e gr i t yi sputt oque s t i o n.I ns uc hc a s e s ,anat t ac ko nt hepe r s o no ft he appl i c a ntne c e s s i t at e shi sr i ghtt oe xpl ai nhi ms e l f . TheJ BC’ so wnr u l e sc o n vi nc et heCo ur tt oar r i v eatt hi sc o nc l us i o n.Thes ub s e q ue nt i s s ua nc eo fJ BC0 10unmi s t a ka bl ypr o j e c t st heJBC’ sd e f e r e nc et ot hegr a v ei mpo r t o ft her i g hto ft hea ppl i c a ntt ob ei nf o r me da ndc o r o l l a r yt he r e t o ,t her i g htt ob e he a r d .Thepr o v i s i o nso fJ BC0 10 p , e rs e ,pr o v i det hat :anyc o mpl ai nto ro ppo s i t i o n a ga i ns tac a ndi dat ema yb efil e dwi t ht heSe c r e t ar ywi t hi nt e n( 10 )da y st he r e o f ;t he c o mpl a i nto ro ppo s i t i o ns h al lb ei ro at ha nd i nt e n( 1 0)l e g i b l e n wri t i ng,unde c o p i e s ;t he Se c r e t a r yo ft he Co unc i ls ha l lf ur n i s ht he c a ndi da t ea c o p yo ft he c o mpl a i nto ro ppo s i t i o na g ai ns thi m;t hec a nd i da t es h al lha v efiv e( 5 )d a y sf r o m r e c e i ptt he r e o fwi t hi nwhi c ht ofil ehi sc o mme ntt ot hec o mpl ai nto ro ppo s i t i o n,i fhe s ode s i r e s ;a ndt hec a ndi d at ec a nb ema det oe x p l a i nt hec o mp l a i nto ro p po s i t i o n a g ai ns thi m. TheCo ur tma yno tc l o s ei t se y e st ot hee x i s t e nc eo fJ BC0 10whi c h,und e rt her ul e s o fs t at ut o r yc o ns t r uc t i o n,be ar sg r e atwe i ghti nt hat :1]i tc o v e r s“ any”c o mpl ai nto r o ppo s i t i o n;2 ]i te mpl o y st hema ndat o r yt e r m,“ s ha l l ” ;a nd3]mo s ti mpo r t a nt l y ,i t s p e a kso ft hev e r ye s s e nc eo fd uep r o c e s s .Whi l eJ BC0 10 d o e sno ta r t i c ul a t ea pr o c e dur et hate nt ai l sat r i al t y pehe ar i ng ,i taffo r d sanappl i c a nt ,whof ac e s“ any c o mpl a i nto ro pp o s i t i o n, ”t her i g htt oa ns we rt hea c c us a t i o nsa ga i ns th i m.Thi s c o ns t i t ut e st hemi ni mum r e q ui r e me nt so fd uepr o c e s s .

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Appl i c at i o nt oJar de l e z a’ sCas e

Ne a r i ng t heul t i ma t ec o nc l us i o no ft hi sc a s e ,t heCo ur ti sb e ho o v e dt or u l eo n whe t he rJ ar de l e z awa sde p r i v e do fhi sr i g htt oduepr o c e s si nt hee v e nt sl e a di ngup t o ,anddur i ng ,t hev o t eo nt hes ho r tl i s tl as tJune30,2014. TheJBC g i v e sg r e a twe i g hta nds u bs t a nc et ot hef a c tt ha ti tg a v eJ ar d e l e z at he o p po r t uni t yt oa ns we rt hea l l e g a t i o nsa ga i ns th i m.I tund e r s c o r e st hef a c tt ha t J ar d e l e z awa sa s k e dt oa t t e ndt heJ une3 0,2 01 4me e t i ngs ot ha thec o ul ds he dl i g ht on t he i s s ues t hr own athi m.Duri ng t he s ai d mee t i ng,Chi efJus t i c e Ser eno i nf o r me dhi mt ha ti nc o nne c t i o n wi t h hi sc a ndi d ac yf o rt hepo s i t i o no fAs s o c i a t e J us t i c eo ft heSupr e meCo ur t ,t heCo unc i lwo ul dl i k et opr o p o undq ue s t i o nso nt he f o l l o wi ngi s s ue sr a i s e da ga i ns thi m:1]hi sac t ua t i o nsi nha ndl i nga ni nt e r nat i o na l a r b i t r a t i o nc a s eno tc o mpa t i b l e wi t h pub l i ci nt e r e s t ; 4 82 ]r e p o r t so n hi se x t r a ma r i t a la ffa i ri nSMC;a nd3 ]a l l e g e di ns i de rt r a di ngwhi c hl e dt ot he“ s h o wc a us e ” o r de rf r o mt hePhi l i p pi neSt o c kEx c ha ng e . 4 9 AsJar de l e z ahi ms e l fadmi t t e d,hede c l i ne dt oans we ro rt oe x pl ai nhi ss i de ,ashe wo ul dno twantt obe“ l ul l e di nt owai v i nghi sr i g ht s . ”I ns t e ad,hemani f e s t e dt hathi s s t a t e me ntb eputo nr e c o r da ndi nf o r me dt heCo unc i lo ft het he np e nd e nc yo fhi s En Banc l e t t e r pe t i t i o n wi t ht he Co ur t .When Chi efJus t i c e Ser eno i nf or med J a r d e l e z at ha tt heCo u nc i lwo u l d wa ntt ohe a rf r o m hi mo nt het hr e e( 3 )i s s ue s a ga i ns thi m,J ar d e l e z ar e a s o ne do utt ha tt hi swa sp r e c i s e l yt hei s s ue .Hef o undi t i r r e g ul a rt ha th ewa sno tb e i nggi v e nt heo ppo r t uni t yt ob ehe a r dpe rt heJBCr u l e s . He a s s e r t e dt ha ta c a nd i d at emus tb eg i v e nt heo p p o r t uni t yt or e s p o nd t ot he c ha r g e sa g a i ns thi m.Heur g e dt heChi e fJ us t i c et os t e pdo wnf r o m he rpe d e s t a la nd t r a ns l a t et he o b j e c t i o nsi n wr i t i ng .To wa r d st he e nd o ft he me e t i ng ,t he Chi e f Jus t i c es ai dt hatbo t h _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

4 8 Pa r a p hr a s e df r o mt heJ BCme e t i ng si no r d e rt oup ho l dc o nfid e nt i a l i t y . 4 9 Mi nut e s ,J une3 0,2 01 4me e t i ng R ; o l l o,p.211 .

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J ar d e l e z a ’ swr i t t e na ndo r a ls t a t e me nt swo ul db ema dep ar to ft her e c o r d .Af t e r J a r d e l e z a wa se x c us e df r o m t hec o n f e r e n c e ,J us t i c eLa g ma ns ug g e s t e dt ha tt he v o t i ng b ed e f e r r e d ,b utt he Chi e fJ us t i c er u l e dt ha tt he Co unc i lh ad a l r e a dy c o mpl e t e dt hepr o c e s sr e qui r e df o rt hev o t i ngt op r o c e e d. Af t e rc ar e f ulc al i br at i o no ft hec as e ,t heCo ur thasr e ac he dt hede t e r mi nat i o nt hat

t heappl i cat i on oft he“unani mi t yrul e”oni nt egri t yresul t edi nJardel eza’ s . depri vat i onofhi sri ghtt odueprocess Ast hr e s he do utbe f o r e hand,due pr o c e s s ,asa c o ns t i t ut i o nalpr e c e pt ,do e s no t al wa ysandi nal ls i t uat i o nsr e q ui r eat r i al t y pepr o c e e di ng .Duepr o c e s si ss at i s fie d whe nap e r s o ni sno t i fie do ft hec ha r g ea g a i ns th i ma ndg i v e na no p p o r t uni t yt o e x p l a i no rd e f e n d hi ms e l f . 5 0 Ev e na sJ a r d e l e z a wa sv e r b a l l yi nf o r me do ft he i n v o c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 0 9a g ai ns th i ma nd wa sl a t e ra s k e dt o e x p l a i n hi ms e l fdur i ngt heme e t i ng ,t he s ec i r c u ms t a nc e ss t i l lc a nno te x pung ea n i mme ns ep e r p l e x i t yt ha tl i ng e r si nt hemi ndo ft heCo ur t .Wha ti st ob e c o meo ft he p r o c e d ur el a i dd o wni nJ BC0 1 0i ft hes a mewo ul db et r e a t e dwi t hi nd i ffe r e nc ea nd di s r e g ar d ?Tor e pe at ,a si t swo r d i ngpr o v i de s ,anyc o mpl ai nto ro ppo s i t i o nag ai ns ta c a ndi d at ema yb efil e dwi t ht heSe c r e t a r ywi t hi nt e n( 1 0)da y sf r o mt hepub l i c a t i o n o ft heno t i c eandal i s to fc a ndi dat e s .Sur e l y ,t hi sno t i c ei sal lt hemo r ec o ns pi c uo us t oJBCmember s .Gr ant i n ge xar g ume nt i ,t hatt he10da ype r i o d51i so nl yappl i c a bl e t ot hep ub l i c ,e x c l ud i ngt heJ BC me mb e r st he ms e l v e s ,t hi sdo e sno td i s c o untt he f a c tt ha tt hei n v o c a t i o no ft hefir s tg r o undi nt heJune5,2 01 4me e t i ngwo ul dha v e r a i s e dpr o c e dur a li s s ue s .Tobef ai r ,s e v e r a lme mbe r so ft heCo unc i le x pr e s s e dt he i r c o nc e r na ndd e s i r et ohe a ro utJ a r d e l e z ab utt hea pp l i c a t i o no fJ BC0 10d i dno t f o r m pa r to ft hea ge ndat he n.I twa so nl ydur i ngt hene x tme e t i ng _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 50 Le de s mav .Co ur to fAppe al s,5 65Phi l .7 3 1;5 41SCRA4 44( 2 00 7) .

5 1 Theo ffic i a ll i s to fc a ndi da t e swa spub l i s h e di nThePhi l i p pi neSt a ro nAp r i l2 6, 2 0 14 .The1 0d a ype r i o dend e do nMa y6,2 0 14 .

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o nJ une1 6,2 01 4,t ha tt heCo unc i la gr e e dt oi nv i t eJ ar d e l e z a ,b yt e l e p ho ne ,t oa mee t i ngt hatwoul dbehel dont hes amedaywhen ar es our c eper s onwoul ds hed l i g hto nt hemat t e r . As s umi ngag ai nt hatt hec l as s i fie d nat ur eo ft hegr o und i mpe l l e dt heCo unc i lt o r e s o r tt oo r a lno t i c ei ns t e ado ff ur ni s hi ngJar d e l e z aawr i t t e no ppo s i t i o n,whydi d t heJ BCno tt a kei nt oa c c o unti t sa ut ho r i t yt os u mmo nJ ar de l e z ai nc o nfid e nc ea ta n e ar l i e rt i me ?I sno tt heCo unc i le mpo we r e dt o“ t akee v e r ypo s s i bl es t e pt ov e r i f yt he qual i fic a t i o no ft heappl i c a nt s ? ”I two ul dno tbeami s st os t at e ,att hi spo i nt ,t hatt he c o nfid e nt i a ll e g a lme mo r a nd um us e di nt hei n v o c a t i o no ft he“ una ni mi t yr ul e ”wa s ac t ual l yaddr e s s e dt oJar d e l e z a,i nhi sc a pac i t yasSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a l .Saf et oas s ume i s hi s kno wl e d g eo ft he p r i v i l e g e d na t ur et he r e o fa nd t he c o ns e q ue nc e so fi t s i nd i s c r i mi na t er e l e a s et ot he p ub l i c .Ha d he b e e np r i v a t e l yi nf o r me do ft he a l l e g a t i o nsa g a i ns thi mb as e do nt hed o c u me nta ndha dheb e e no r d e r e dt or e s p o nd t he r e t oi nt hes a mema nne r ,J ar de l e z a ’ sr i g htt obei nf o r me da ndt oe x pl a i nhi ms e l f wo ul dha v eb e e ns a t i s fi e d. Wha tpr e c i s e l ys e to fft hep r o t e s to fl a c ko fd uep r o c e s swa st hec i r c ums t a nc eo f r e q ui r i ngJ ar de l e z at oa pp e arbe f o r et heCo unc i la nd t oi ns t a nt a ne o us l ypr o v i de t ho s ewhoa r ewi l l i ngt ol i s t e na ni nt e l l i g e ntd e f e ns e .Wa sheg i v e nt heo ppo r t uni t y t od os o ?Thea ns we ri sy e s ,i nt hec o nt e x to fhi sp hy s i c a lp r e s e nc ed ur i ng t he me e t i ng .Wa sheg i v e nar e a s o n ab l ec ha nc et omus t e rade f e ns e ?No ,b e c a us ehewa s mer el y as ked t oappeari n a mee t i ngwher ehewoul d be,r i ghtt hen and t her e, s ub j e c t e dt oani nq ui r y .I two ul da l lb et o owe l lt or e me mbe rt ha tt heal l e g at i o nso f hi se x t r a ma r i t a la ffa i ra nda c t so fi ns i de rt r a di ngs p r ungupo nl yd ur i ngt heJune 3 0,2 01 4me e t i ng .Whi l et hes a i di s s ue sb e c a met heo b j e c to ft heJBC d i s c us s i o no n J une1 6,2 01 4,J ar d e l e z awa sno tg i v e nt hei d e at ha thes h o ul dpr e p ar et oa ffir mo r de nyhi spa s tb e ha v i o r .The s ec i r c ums t a nc e sp r e c l udet hev e r yi de ao fduepr o c e s si n whi c ht her i g htt oe xpl ai no ne s e l fi sgi v e n,no tt oens nar eb ys ur p r i s e ,butt opr o v i de t hepe r s o nar e a s o na bl eo p po r t u-

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ni t yands uffic i e ntt i met oi nt e l l i g e nt l ymus t e rhi sr e s po ns e .Ot he r wi s e ,t heo c c a s i o n be c o me sani dl eandf ut i l ee x e r c i s e . Ne e dl e s st os t at e ,Jar d e l e z a’ sg r i e v anc ei sno tani mag i ne ds l i g htbutar e a lr e b uffo f hi sr i g htt ob ei nf o r me do ft hec ha r g e sa g ai ns thi ma ndhi sr i g htt oa ns we rt hes a me wi t hv i g o r o u sc o nt e nt i o na nda c t i v ep ar t i c i p at i o ni nt hepr o c e e d i ng swhi c hwo ul d ul t i mat e l yde c i dehi sa s pi r a t i o nt obe c o meamag i s t r a t eo ft hi sCo ur t .

Conse que nc e s

Towr i t fi e ni s t ot hi sc o nt r o v e r s yandi nv i e wo ft her e al i s t i candpr a c t i c a lf r ui t i o no f t heCo ur t ’ sfindi ng s ,t heCo ur tno wde c l ar e si t sp o s i t i o no nwhe t he ro rno tJ ar de l e z a ma ybei nc l ude di nt hes h o r tl i s t ,j us ti nt i mewhe nt hepe r i o dt oa p po i ntame mb e r o ft heCo ur ti sa bo utt oe nd. Thec o nc l us i o no ft heCo ur ti shi ng e do nt hef o l l o wi ngpi v o t alpo i nt s : 1 .The r ewa sami s a pp l i c a t i o no ft he“ una ni mi t yr ul e ”und e rSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o f J BC0 09a st oJa r de l e z a ’ sl e g als t r a t e g yi nha ndl i ngac a s ef o rt heg o v e r nme nt . 2 .Whi l eJ ar de l e z a ’ sa l l e g e de x t r a ma r i t a laffai ra nd ac t so fi ns i de rt r a di ng f a l l wi t hi nt hec o n t e mp l a t i o no fa“ q ue s t i o no ni nt e g r i t y ”a ndwo ul dha v ewa r r a nt e dt he a pp l i c a t i o no ft he “ una ni mi t yr ul e , ” he wa s no ta ffo r d e dd ue p r o c e s si ni t s appl i c a t i o n. 3 .TheJBC,ast hes o l ebo dye mpo we r e dt oe v al ua t ea ppl i c a t i o nsf o rj udi c i alpo s t s , e x e r c i s e sf ul ldi s c r e t i o no ni t sp o we rt or e c o mme ndno mi ne e st ot hePr e s i de nt .The

s uig e ne r i sc ha r a c t e ro fJ BC pr o c e e d i ng s ,ho we v e r ,i sno tab l a nke ta ut ho r i t yt o d i s r e g a r dt hed uep r o c e s su nd e rJ BC0 10 .

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4 .J ar d e l e z awa sd e pr i v e do fhi sr i g htt od uep r o c e s swhe n,c o nt r a r yt ot heJ BC r u l e s ,hewa sne i t he rf o r ma l l yi nf o r me do ft heq ue s t i o nso n hi si nt e g r i t yno rwa s pr o v i de dar e a s o na bl eo ppo r t uni t yt op r e par ehi sd ef e ns e . Wi t ht hef o r e g o i ng ,t heCo ur ti sc o mp e l l e dt or ul et ha tJ ar d e l e z as h o ul dha v eb e e n i nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s ts ub mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de ntf o rt hev ac a t e d po s i t i o no f As s o c i at eJus t i c eAbad.Thi sc o ns e que nc ear o s eno tf r o mt heunc o ns t i t ut i o nal i t yo f Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 p ,e rs e ,b utf r o mt hev i o l at i o nb yt heJBC o fi t so wn r ul e so fpr o c e dur ea ndt heb as i ct e ne t so fduepr o c e s s .Bynome ansdo e st heCo ur t i nt e nd t os t r i k ed o wn t he “ una ni mi t yr u l e ”a si tr e fle c t st he J BC’ sp o l i c ya nd , t he r e f o r e ,wi s d o mi ni t ss e l e c t i o no fno mi ne e s .Ev e ns o ,t heCo ur tr e f us e st ot ur na b l i nde y eo nt hepa l pa bl ede f e c t si ni t si mp l e me nt a t i o na ndt hee ns u i ngt r e a t me nt t hatJar d e l e z ar e c e i v e db ef o r et heCo unc i l .Tr ue ,Jar d e l e z ahasnov e s t e dr i g htt oa no mi nat i o n,b utt hi sd o esno tpr e s c i ndf r o mt hef a c tt ha tt heJBC f ai l e dt oo bs e r v e t hemi ni mum r e q u i r e me n t so fd uep r o c e s s . I nc r i mi nalandadmi ni s t r a t i v ec a s e s ,t hev i o l at i o no fapar t y ’ sr i g htt oduepr o c e s s r a i s e sas e r i o usj ur i s di c t i o nali s s uewhi c hc a nno tbegl o s s e do v e ro rdi s r e g ar d e dat wi l l .Whe r et he d e ni a lo ft he f und ame nt a lr i g hto fd ue p r o c e s si sa pp ar e nt ,a de c i s i o nr e nde r e di ndi s r e g ar do ft hatr i ghti svo i df o rl ac ko fj ur i s di c t i o n. 52Thi s r ul ema ywe l lb eappl i e dt ot hec u r r e nts i t ua t i o nf o ra no ppo s i ngvi e ws ub mi t st oan unduer e l ax at i o no ft heBi l lo fRi g ht s .Tot hi s ,t heCo ur ts ha l lno tc o nc e d e .Ast he b r a nc ho fg o v e r nme ntt a s k e dt og ua r a nt e et ha tt hep r o t e c t i o no fd uep r o c e s si s a v ai l abl et oa ni ndi v i duali npr o p erc as e s , t heCo ur tfindst hes ubj e c ts ho r tl i s tas _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ PO2Rue lC.Mo nt o y av .Po l i c eDi r e c t o rRe y nal doP.Var i l l aand At t y .Rufino 52 Je ffr e yI .Mane r e ,5 95Phi l .5 07 ;5 7 4SCRA 8 31( 2 0 08 ) ,c i t i ng St at ePr o s e c ut o r sv . Mur o ,Adm.Mat t erNo. RTJ92876,19Sept ember1994,236SCRA505,522523.

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t ai nt e dwi t h av i c et ha ti ti sas s i g ne dt og uar da ga i ns t .I nde e d,t hei nv o c a t i o no f Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09mus tb ede e me dt oha v ene v e rc o mei nt oo p e r a t i o ni n l i g ht o fi t se r r o ne o us a pp l i c a t i o no nt he o r i g i na lg r o und a ga i ns tJ ar d e l e z a ’ s i nt e gr i t y .Att her i s ko fbe i ngr e pe t i t i v e ,t heCo ur tupho l dst heJBC’ sdi s c r e t i o ni n t he s e l e c t i o no fn o mi ne e s ,b uti t sa pp l i c a t i o no ft he “ una ni mi t yr u l e ”mus tb e appl i ed i nc onj unc t i on wi t h Sec t i on 2,Rul e 10 ofJBC010 bei ng i nvoke d by J ar d e l e z a .Ha v i ng b e e na bl et os e c ur ef o ur ( 4 )o uto fs i x( 6 )v o t e s ,t he o nl y c onc l usi on l ef tt o pr opound i st hat a maj or i t y oft he member s oft he JBC, no ne t he l e s s ,f o undJar d e l e z at obequal i fie df o rt hepo s i t i o no fAs s o c i at eJus t i c eand t hi sgr a nt shi m ar i g ht f uls po ti nt hes ho r tl i s ts ub mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de nt .

Ne e dt oRe vi s i tJBC’ sI nt e r nalRul e s

I nt heCo ur t ’ ss t udyo ft hepe t i t i o n,t hec o mme nt sandt heappl i c a b l er ul e so ft he J BC,t heCo ur ti so ft hev i e wt ha tt her u l e sl e a v emuc ht ob ede s i r e da nds h o ul db e r e v i e we dandr e v i s e d .I ta ppe ar st hatt hepr o v i s i o no nt he“ una ni mi t yr ul e ”i s vague ai rand,t a nb emi s u s e do ra bus e dr e s u l t i ngi nt hede p r i v at i o no f andunf he r e f o r e ,c anappl i c a nt ’ sr i g htt oduepr o c e s s. Pr i mar i l y,t hei nv o c at i o no ft he“ unani mi t yr ul e ”o ni nt e gr i t yi seffe c t i v e l yav e t o po we ro v e rt hec o l l e c t i v ewi l lo fama j o r i t y . Thi ss ho ul dbec l ar i fie d.Anyas s e r t i o nb y t e r ame mbe raf v o t i ngs e e mst obeunf ai rb e c a us ei te ffe c t i v e l yg i v e shi mo rhe ra v e t opo we ro v e rt hec o l l e c t i v ev o t e so ft heo t he rme mb e r si nv i e wo ft heuna ni mo us r e q ui r e me nt .Whi l ea no p po s i t o r me mb e rc a nr e c us ehi ms e l fo rhe r s e l f ,s t i l lt he pr o babi l i t yofannul l i ngt hema j o r i t yvo t eo ft heCo unc i li sq ui t ehi g h. Se c o n d,i nt e gr i t ya sag r o undha sno tb e e nde fine d.Whi l et hei ni t i a li mpr e s s i o ni s t hati tr e f e r st ot hemo r a lfib ero fac a ndi da t e ,i tc anbe ,asi tha sb e e n,us e dt o

me a no t he rt hi ng s .I nf a c t ,t hemi nut e so ft heJBC me e t i ng si nt hi sc a s er e fle c tt he l a c ko fc o ns e ns u sa mo ngt heme mb e r sa st oi t s

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pr e c i s ede fini t i o n.No tha v i ngb e e nde fine do rde s c r i b e d,i ti sv ag ue ,ne b ul o usand c o nf us i ng .I tmus tbedi s t i nc t l ys pe c i fie dandde l i ne at e d. Thi r d,i ts ho u l de x p l i c i t l yp r o v i d e who c a ni n v o k ei tas a g r o und a g a i ns ta c a ndi d at e .Sho ul di tb ei n v o ke do nl yb ya no ut s i de ra sc o ns t r u e db yt her e s p o nde nt Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r yo ra l s ob yame mb e r ? Fo ur t h,whi l et heJBCv e t t i ngpr o c e e di ng si s s “uig e ne r i s ”a ndne e dno tb ef o r ma lo r t r i a lt y pe ,t he ymus tme e tt hemi ni mum r e q ui r e me nt so fd uepr o c e s s . Asa l wa y s , a n a pp l i c a nts h o ul db eg i v e n ar e a s o n ab l eo pp o r t uni t ya nd t i met obehe a r do nt he c har g e sa gai ns thi mo rhe r ,i ft he r ea r eany . Atany r at e ,i ti sup t ot heJBC t ofine t unet her ul e sc o ns i de r i ng t hepe c ul i ar nat ur eo fi t sf unc t i o n.I tne e dno tbes t r e s s e dt hatt her ul e st obeado pt e ds ho ul dbe f a i r ,r e a s o n ab l e ,una mb i g uo u sa ndc o n s i s t e n twi t ht hemi ni mum r e q u i r e me n t so f duepr o c e s s . Onefinalnot e. TheCo ur tdi s c l ai mst hatJar d e l e z a’ si nc l us i o ni nt hes ho r tl i s ti sa ne ndo r s e me nto f hi sa p po i nt me nta same mb e ro ft heCo ur t .I nde f e r e nc et ot heCo ns t i t ut i o na ndhi s wi s d o mi nt hee x e r c i s eo fhi sapp o i nt i ngpo we r ,t hePr e s i de ntr e ma i nst heul t i ma t e j udg eo fac andi dat e ’ swo r t hi ne s s . hepe t i t i o ni sGRANTED A .c c o r di ng l y ,i ti she r e b yde c l ar e dt hat WHEREFORE,t So l i c i t o rGe ne r a lFr a nc i sH.J ar d e l e z ai sd e e me dI nt hes ho r tl i s t NCLUDED i s ub mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de ntf o rc o ns i de r at i o na sanAs s o c i at eJus t i c eo ft heSupr e me i c e s Cour tv A s o c i at eJus t i c eRo be r t oA.Abad. The Cour tf urt herDI ha tt heJ ud i c i a la nd Ba rCo u nc i lREVI RECTS t EW,and u l e sr e l e v a nt t ot he o b s e r v a nc eo fd ue p r o c e s si ni t sp r o c e e d i ng s , ADOPT,r pa r t i c u l a r l yJBC0 09andJBC01 0,s ub j e c tt ot hea ppr o v alo ft heCo ur t .

Thi sDe c i s i o ni si mme d i a t e l y EXECUTORY.I mme d i a t e l yno t i f yt heOffic eo ft he Pr e s i de nto ft hi sDe c i s i o n.

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SO ORDERED. Pe r e zandRe y e s ,JJ. ,c o nc ur . Se r e no , CJ. ,Nopa r t . Car pi o ,J. ,Nopa r t . Ve l as c o ,Jr . ,J. ,Ij o i nt heDi s s e nto fJ.Le o ne n. Le o nar do De Cas t r o ,J. ,Pl eas es ee my Separ at e Opi ni on c onc urr i ng wi t ht he po ne nc i ao fJ us t i c eMe nd o z aa ndt heSe p ar a t eOpi ni o no fJ us t i c eBr i o n. Br i o n,J. ,Pl s . s e e : Se pa r a t eCo nc u r r i ngOpi ni o n. Pe r al t a,J. ,Se eSe pa r a t eOpi ni o ni nc o r po r a t i nge x pl ana t i o no fv o t e . Be r s ami n,J. ,Ial s oj o i nt heSe pa r a t eOpi ni o nso fJ .DeCa s t r o& J .Br i o n. De lCas t i l l o ,J. ,Id i s s e nto ns o l egr o undt hed e c i s i o nma ya ffe c ti nd e pe nd e nc eo f JBC. Vi l l ar a ma,Jr . ,J. ,OnOffic i alLea ve . Pe r l as Be r nabe ,J. ,Ij o i nt hedi s s e nto fJ.Le o ne n. Le o ne n,J. ,Idi s s e nt .Se eSe par a t eOpi ni o n. CONCURRI NGOPI NI ON LEONARDODE CASTRO, J. : Att heo ut s e t ,i ts ho ul db ema dev e r yc l e a rt ha tt hi spe t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar iand mandamuswi t ha ppl i c a t i o nf o rat e mpo r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r d e rs ho ul db ede c i de di n

di s r e g ar do ft hepe r s o nal i t i e si nv o l v e d ands t r i ppe do ft hepe r c e i v e d po l i t i c st hat s u r r o undi t .The r ei so nepr i mo r d i a lma t t e rt ha ts h o ul dc o nc e r nt heCo ur ti nt hi s i ns t a nc ea ndt hati st hec o n c e p to fpr o c e dur a lf a i r n es sd i c t a t e db yt heduepr o c e s s r e q ui r e me ntma nd at e db yt heCo ns t i t ut i o n,a sv i e we d wi t hi nt hec o nt e x to ft he s p e c i a lna t ur ea ndf unc t i o nso ft heJudi c i ala ndBa rCo unc i l( J BC) .I ti swi t ht hi s f r a me wo r ki nmi ndt ha tIc o n c u r

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wi t ht h p eo ne nc i aa ndo ffe rmyt ho ug ht so nt hi sc a s et hr o ug ht hi ss e p ar a t eo p i ni o n.

Prel i mi naryI s s ues

Whi l eIma yag r e ewi t ht heJ BC’ sp r o p o s i t i o nt ha tmandamusc a nno tb ea v ai l e do f t oc o mpe lt hepe r f o r manc eo fadi s c r e t i o nar yac t ,i ti sal r e adys e t t l e dt hatape t i t i o n f o rc e r t i o r ar ii sno ne t he l e s sa p r o p e rr e me d yt oq ue s t i o n,o nt heg r o u ndo fg r a v e a bus eo fd i s c r e t i o n,t he a c to fa n yb r a nc ho ri ns t r u me nt a l i t yo fg o v e r nme nt , r e g a r d l e s so ft he na t ur eo fi t sf unc t i o ns .The mo s tr e c e n t ar t i c u l a t i o no ft hi s do c t r i nec a nb ef o undi nAr aul l ov .Aq ui noI I I , 1whe r ewehe l d :

[ T] her e me d i e so fc e r t i o r ar ia ndpr o hi b i t i o na r ene c e s s a r i l yb r o a de ri ns c o p ea nd r e a c h,a ndt hewr i to fc e r t i o r ar io rpr o h i b i t i o n ma yb ei s s ue dt oc o r r e c te r r o r so f j ur i s di c t i o nc o mmi t t e dno to nl yb yat r i bunal ,c o r po r at i o n,bo ar do ro ffic e re x e r c i s i ng j udi c i al ,quas i j udi c i alo rmi ni s t e r i alf unc t i o ns butal s ot os e tr i g ht ,undo and r e s t r a i na n ya c to fg r a v ea b us eo fd i s c r e t i o na mo u nt i ng t ol a c ko re x c e s so f j ur i s di c t i o nb yanybr anc ho ri ns t r ume nt al i t yo ft heGo v e r nme nt ,e v e ni ft hel at t e r do e sno te x e r c i s ej udi c i al ,q uas i j udi c i alo rmi ni s t e r i alf unc t i o ns .Thi sappl i c a t i o ni s e x pr e s s l yaut ho r i z e db yt het e x to ft hes e c o ndpar a gr a pho fSe c t i o n1[ Ar t i c l eVI I Io f t heCo ns t i t ut i o n] . Thus ,i nmyvi e w,t he r ei snopr o c e dur a lbarf o rt hi sCo ur tt ot akec o g ni z a nc eo ft hi s c a s easapr o p ers ubj e c to fc e r t i o r ar i pr o c e e di ng s . Ia ma l s oc o n v i nc e df r o m myp e r us a lo ft hepl e a di ng st ha tp e t i t i o ne rha sc o met o t hi sCo ur ti nhi sp er s o nalc a pac i t yandno tasSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lo nac a us eo fac t i o n

t ha ta c c r ue dt ohi mo u t s i d ehi semp l o y me n ta st heg o v e r nme n t ’ sco uns e l .Whe n pe t i t i o ne ra ppe a r e db e f o r et heJBCt obec o ns i de r e df o r _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 3 G. R.No s .2 09 28 7 ,2 09 13 5,2 0 91 36 ,2 09 15 5,2 09 16 4,2 09 26 0,2 09 44 2,2 09 51 7and 2 0 95 6 9,J ul y1 ,2 0 14 ,7 2 8SCRA1 .

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no mi na t i o nt ot hev a c a nc yi nt hi sCo ur t ,hewa sno tr e p r e s e nt i ngt heJ BCi nal e g al ma t t e rbutwa sa pp e ar i ng s i mp l ya sa c a nd i d at ef o ra j ud i c i a lp o s i t i o n.The r e a pp e ar st obenoda ng e rt ha tp e t i t i o ne rwo ul dc o meb ya nyi nf o r ma t i o nr e g a r d i ng t hi sc a s et ot hepr e j udi c eo fr e s po nde nt sno rwo ul dhebei napo s i t i o nt obr e a c ha ny fid uc i a r ydut yi nr e l a t i o nt ot hepr e s e n tma t t e rc o n s i de r i ngt ha tr e s p o nde nt sha v e c ho s e nno tt ober e p r e s e n t e db yt heOffic eo ft heSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a la nda r ei ns t e a d r e p r e s e nt e db yl e g alo ffic e r se mpl o y e di nt he i rr e s p e c t i v eo ffic e s .

Subs t ant i veI ss ues

Pe t i t i one rwasde ni e dhi sc ons t i t ut i onalr i ghtt oduepr oc e s s .

Ia m wi l l i ngt ogr a ntt ha tt heJBC’ sf unc t i o nsa r eno tj udi c i a ls uc ht ha taf o r mal , t r i a l t y pe o fhe a r i ng wo ul db e no tb er e q ui r e di nt he d i s c ha r g eo fi t s dut i e s . Ho we v e r ,e v e ni na dmi ni s t r a t i v eo r no nf o r ma lt y p e so fp r o c e e d i ng s ,t he r ea r e mi ni mum r e q u i r e me n t st ha tmus tb eme tt opr o t e c tt heduepr o c e s sr i g ht so ft he pe r s o n ss u bj e c t e dt oa ni n v e s t i g at i o n,o ri nt hi sc a s e ,a ni nq ui r yi nt ot he i r qual i fic a t i o nsf o rj udi c i alo ffic e . We ha v e he l dt ha t“ i na dmi ni s t r a t i v ep r o c e e d i ng s ,t he fil i ng of c harges and

gi vi ng r eas onabl e opport uni t yf ort he per s on s o charg ed t o ans wert he accus at i onsa g ai ns th i mc o ns t i t ut et hemi ni mum r e q ui r e me nt so fd uepr o c e s s . ” 2 TheCo ur tha sal s opr e v i o us l ys t a t e dt ha t“ t heo bs e r v a nc eo ff a i r n e s si nt hec o nduc t o fanyi nv e s t i g at i o ni satt hev er yhe ar to fpr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s s . ” 3 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Ri v asv .Si s o n,4 2 98Phi l .1 48 ,1 54 ;4 59SCRA1 02 ,1 09( 2 00 5) . 3 Vi v ov .Phi l i ppi ne Amuse me nt and Gami ng Cor por at i on,G. R.No.187854, No ve mbe r12, 2013, 709SCRA276. 359

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I n hi s Conc urr i ng Opi ni on i n Pe r e zv .Phi l i ppi ne Te l e gr aph and Te l e pho ne Co mpan y, 4o ure s t e e me dc o l l e a gueAs s o c i a t eJ us t i c eAr t ur oD.Br i o nt r a c e dt he hi s t o r i c a lde v e l o pme nto f“ pr o c e dur a lf ai r ne s s ”i nc o mmo nl a w,t owi t : Ati t smo s tbas i c ,pr ocedur aldueproc es si saboutf ai rnessi nt hemodeof ti sno tano v e lc o nc e pt ,buto net hatt r a c e si t sr o o t si n proceduret obef ol l owed.I t hec o mmo nl a w pr i nc i pl eo fna t ur a lj us t i c e . Na t ur a lj us t i c ec o nno t e st he r e q ui r e me nt t ha ta dmi ni s t r a t i v et r i b una l s ,whe n r e a c h i ngade c i s i o n,mus td os owi t hpr o c e dur a lf a i r ne s s .I ft he ye r r ,t hes upe r i o r c o ur t swi l ls t e pi nt oquas ht hede c i s i o nb yc e r t i o r ar i o rpr e v e ntt hee r r o rb yawr i t

qui re mentwas i ni t i al l y appl i ed i n a purel yj udi ci al o fpr o hi bi t i o n.The re cont ext ,but was s ubsequent l y ext ended t o exec ut i ve r egul at ory f act findi ng,ast headmi ni s t rat i vepowersoft heEngl i s hj us t i cesoft hepeace t ha twe r er e q ui r e dt oa do p ts o meo f weret rans f err edt oadmi ni s t rat i vebodi es

ur alj us t i ce was t hep r o c e d ur e sr e mi ni s c e nto ft ho s eus e di n ac o ur t r o o m.Nat compri s ed oft wo mai ns ubrul es :audial hata per s on t e r am part e m — t mus tknow t hecas eagai ns thi m andbegi venan opport uni t yt oans weri t ; andne herul eagai ns tbi as moj ude xi ns ua c aus ede bees s e— t .St i l lmuc h l a t e r ,t he na t ur a lj us t i c e pr i nc i pl eg a v er i s et ot he dut yt ob ef a i r t o cover

gover nment al dec i s i ons whi ch cannot be charac t er i zed as j udi ci al or quasi j udi ci ali nnat ure.( Emphas e ss uppl i e d;c i t a t i o nso mi t t e d)

Tos umma r i z e ,wha tp r o c e d ur a ld uep r o c e s sde ma nd si st ha t :( a )ap e r s o ns ho u l d ha v ea de q u at e no t i c eo ft he c ha r g ea g a i ns thi m;( b )he i sg i v e nar e a s o n ab l e o ppo r t uni t yt oa ns we rs a i dc har g e ;a nd( c )t hepr o c e e di ng st obec o nduc t e ds hal lb e f r e ef r o mb i a s .The s ear et hec r i t e r i aa gai ns twhi c hwes ha l lt e s tt hepr o c e dur et hat t heJ BC a ppl i e dt ope t i t i o ne ri nt hec o ur s eo fh i sc a ndi da c yt oav a c a nc yi nt hi s Co u r t . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 46 0 2Phi l .5 22 ,5 45 ;5 84SCRA1 10 ,1 30 1 3 1( 2 00 9) . 360

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I nl i newi t hSe c t i o n4 ,Rul e1 5o fJ BC0 09o rt heRul e so ft heJ ud i c i a la ndBa r Counci l ,t he JBC publ i s hed on Mar c h 8,2014 an announc ementr eg ar di ng t he o pe ni ng ,f o rappl i c a t i o no rr e c o mme ndat i o n,o ft hepo s i t i o no fAs s o c i at eJus t i c eo f t heSup r e meCo ur ti na nt i c i p at i o no ft hec o mp ul s o r yr e t i r e me nto ft heHo no r a bl e Ro b e r t oA.Ab ado nMa y2 2,2 01 4. 6Thede a dl i nef o rs ub mi s s i o no fa pp l i c a t i o n so r r e c o mme n da t i o n swa ss e tf o rMa r c h1 8 ,2 0 14 . Asmandat e db yt he Co ns t i t ut i o n,a Me mbe ro ft he Supr e meCo ur tmus tbe a na t u r a l b o r n Fi l i pi no ,a tl e as tf o r t yy e ar so fa ge ,a ndmus tha v eb e e nf o rfif t e e n y e a r so rmo r ea j udg eo fal o we rc o ur to re ng a g e di nt hep r a c t i c eo fl a wi nt he Phi l i ppi ne s . 7I na ddi t i o nt ot he s ebas i cq ual i fic a t i o ns ,al lme mbe r so ft heJudi c i ar y mus tb epe r s o nso fpr o v e nc o mpe t e nc e , i nt e g r i t y , pr o b i t y , a ndi nde pe nde nc e . 8 I no r d e rt oe ns u r et ha ta c a nd i d at et oa j ud i c i a lpo s i t i o n ha st he f o r e g o i ng q ua l i fic a t i o ns ,t heJBC s e tf o r t ht hee vi de nc et hati tma yr e c e i v ef o re ac ht y peo f qual i fic at i on.Rul e 3 ofJBC009 deal s wi t h ho wt he JBC s hal ldet er mi ne t he c o mpe t e nc eo fa ppl i c a nt si nt e r mso fe duc a t i o n,e x pe r i e nc ea ndpe r f o r ma nc e . Rul e4 o fJ BC0 09i nv o l v e sg ui de l i ne so ne v a l uat i nga na ppl i c a nt ’ si nt e gr i t y .Rul e5and Rul e6o fJ BC0 09pr o v i def o rp r o o ft ha tma ybec o ns i de r e df o rd e mo ns t r a t i ngan

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 SEC.4. Cal lf o r appl i c a t i o ns . —( a) The oc c urr enc e ofany vac anc yi nt he Supr e meCo ur to ri nt heOffic eo ft heOmbuds man o pe ns ,i ps of ac t o,t hev a c a nt po s i t i o nf o rfil l i ngandac c e pt anc eo fa ppl i c a nt st he r e f o r . ( b) Wi t ht hee ffe c t i v e ,e ffic i e ntande x pe di t i o usadmi ni s t r a t i o no fj us t i c eal wa ysi n mi nd,t heCo unc i ls hal lo pe nf o rappl i c a nt so t he rv ac a nc i e si nt heJudi c i ar yt a ki ng i nt oac c o untt headv i c eo ft heSupr e meCo ur ta ndo ft hec o ndi t i o no ft hedo c k e t so f t hepo s i t i o nsi nv o l v e d. 6 Anne xA,JBC Co mme nt . 7 1987Co ns t i t ut i o n,Ar t i c l eVI I I ,Se c t i o n7( 1) . 8 I d. ,Se c t i o n7( 3) . 361

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a ppl i c a nt ’ spr o b i t y / i nde pe nde nc eandhi so rhe rs o undne s so fph ys i c a l ,me nt al ,a nd e mo t i o nalc o ndi t i o n. Und e rS e c t i o n1 ,Rul e7o fJ BC0 0 9,t heJ BC EnBanc o ra nyp ane lo fi t sme mb e r s

s hal lconductpers onali nt ervi ewso fc a ndi dat e sf o rpo s i t i o nsi nt heJudi c i ar y a ndc e r t a i npo s i t i o nsi nt heOffic eo ft heOmb uds ma n.I nt hec a s eo fpo s i t i o nsi nt he Sup r e meCo u r t ,t heCo u r to fAp pe a l s ,t he Sandi ganbay an,andt heOmbud s man, t hei nt e r v i e wss ha l lb ec o nduc t e di npubl i c.

r ans parencyand publ i cawar eness I no r d e rt opr o mo t et o fJ BC pr o c e e d i ng si n r e l a t i o nt oi t sf unc t i o no fr e c o mme ndi ng a ppo i nt e e st ot heJ udi c i a r ya nd t ot he pos i t i onsofOmbuds manandDeput yOmbuds manandpur s uantt oSec t i on1,Rul e

7o fJ BC0 0 9,t heJBC i s s ue dJ BC1 0whi c hc o n t a i nt hepr o c e d ur ef o rs ub mi s s i o n ande v al uat i o no fc o mpl ai nt so ro p po s i t i o nsa gai ns tac a ndi dat e ,t owi t : SECTI ON 1. TheJudi c i aland BarCounci ls hal ldel i ber at et odet er mi newhoof t he c andi dat e s me e t pr i ma f ac i et he q ua l i fic a t i o ns f o rt he p o s i t i o n und e r c o ns i de r at i o n.Fo rt hi spur po s e ,i ts hal lpr e par eal o ngl i s to fc a ndi dat e swho pr i ma f ac i e appe a rt oha v ea l lt hequa l i fic a t i o ns .TheSe c r e t ar yo ft heCo unc i ls hal lt he n c a us et obepub l i s he di nt wo( 2 )n e ws p ape r so fg e ne r a lc i r c ul a t i o nano t i c eo ft he l o ngl i s to fc a ndi dat e si nal phabe t i c alo r de r .

The not i ce s hal li nf orm t he publ i ct hat any compl ai nt or oppos i t i on agai ns ta candi dat emay be fil ed wi t ht heSecr et arywi t hi nt en ( 10)days t her eof . SEC.2. Thecompl ai ntoropposi t i on s hal lbei n wri t i ng,underoat h and

i nt en ( 10)l egi bl e copi es,t oget her wi t hi t ssupport i ng annexes.I tshal l ,as s t ri ct l y rel at et ot he qual i ficat i ons oft he candi dat e or l ack t hereof pr o v i de df o ri nt heCo ns t i t ut i o n,s t a t ut e s ,a ndt heRul e so ft heJ udi c i a la ndBa r Co unc i l ,aswe l lasr e s o l ut i o nso rr e g ul at i o nspr o mul g at e db yi t . 362

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The Secr et ary oft he Counci ls hal lf urni s ht he candi dat e a copy oft he compl ai ntoropposi t i on agai ns thi m.Thecandi dat eshal lhavefive( 5)days f r om r ecei ptt her eofwi t hi n whi cht ofil ehi sc ommentt ot hecompl ai ntor oppos i t i on,i fhes ode s i r e s . SEC.3. The Judi c i aland BarCo unc i ls hal lfix a dat ewhen i ts hal lmeeti n

execut i vesess i ont oconsi dert hequal i ficat i onoft hel ongl i stofcandi dat es andt hecompl ai ntoropposi t i on agai ns tt hem,i fany.TheCo unc i lma y ,o ni t s o wn,c o nduc tadi s c r e e ti nv e s t i g at i o no ft hebac kgr o undo ft hec a ndi dat e s .

On t heb as i so fi t se v a l ua t i o no ft heq ua l i fic a t i o no ft hec a ndi da t e s ,t heCounci l

shal lpreparet heshort erl i stofcandi dateswhom i tdesi rest oi nt ervi ew f o r i t sf ur t he rc o ns i de r at i o n.

aryoft heCounci ls hal lagai ncaus et obepubl i s hedt he SEC.4. TheSecret dat esoft hei nt ervi ew ofcandi dat es i nt hes ho r t e rl i s ti nt wo( 2)ne ws pape r so f g e ne r a lc i r c ul at i o n.I ts hal ll i ke wi s eb epo s t e di nt hewe bs i t e so ft heSupr e meCo ur t a ndt heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l .

Thecandi dat es,aswel last hei ropposi t ors,shal lbeseparat el ynot i fied of t hedat eandpl aceoft hei nt ervi ew. SEC.5. Thei i ngt hei nt e r v i e w, nt ervi ewss hal lbeconduct ed i n publ i c.Dur o nl yt heme mb e r so ft heCo unc i lc a na s kq ue s t i o nst ot hec a ndi da t e .Amongot her

t hi ngs,t hecandi dat ecan bemadet oexpl ai nt hecompl ai ntoropposi t i on agai nsthi m. me r a sandt a per e c o r d e r s ,ho we v e r ,no t Theproceedi ngss hal lbei nwri t i ng.Ca t ob eal l o we di ns i det her o o m. 363

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Nol i v eTVa ndr a di oc o v e r a g eo ft hepr o c e e di ng ss hal lb epe r mi t t e d. 9 SEC.6. Af t er t he i nt ervi ews ,t he Judi ci aland Bar Counci ls hal lagai n

meeti n execut i ve s es s i on f or t he finaldel i berat i on on t he s hortl i s to f c a nd i d at e swhi c hs h al lb es e ntt ot heOffic eo ft hePr e s i d e nta sa b as i sf o rt he e x e r c i s eo ft hePr e s i de nt i a lpo we ro fa ppo i nt me nt .( Empha s e ss uppl i e d) Re t ur n i ngt ot hef a c t ua lmi l i e uo ft hec a s ea tb ar ,t heJ BC pub l i s h e do nApr i l2 6, 2 01 4a no t he ra nno unc e me ntr e g a r d i ngi t sc o nduc to fpub l i ci nt e r v i e wso fc a ndi da t e s f ort heaf or ement i onedpos i t i ononMay29and30,2014. 10Amongt hos enamedas

c a ndi d at e st obei nt e r v i e we dwa she r e i npe t i t i o ne r .I nt hes a meanno unc e me nt ,t he J BCs t a t e dt ha t“ [ t ] hepub l i cma ys ub mi tt ot heJ BC s worncompl ai nt ,report ,or ( i nt e nl e gi bl ec o pi e s )ag ai ns tanyo ft heaf o r e s ai dc a ndi dat e s notl opposi t i on at er

t han 6May201 4. ”Thepub l i ci nt e r v i e wso ft hec a ndi d at e sp us h e dt hr o ug ho nt he da t e ss t a t e di nt hepub l i s he da nno unc e me nt .Dur i ngpe t i t i o ne r ’ spub l i ci nt e r v i e w, noo pp o s i t i o no rc o mpl a i ntwa sr a i s e dag ai ns thi m. Af t e rt hes ubmi s s i o no fappl i c at i o ns / r e c o mme ndat i o ns ,publ i c at i o no ft he l i s to f c a nd i d at e s , fil i ng o f wr i t t e n a nd s wo r n o p p o s i t i o n st oc a nd i d at e s ’b i d f o r no mi na t i o n,s u bmi s s i o no fc a ndi da t e s ’ c o mme nt so no p po s i t i o nst ot he i rc a ndi d ac y , a ndt hec o nduc to fpubl i ci nt e r v i e ws ,t heJBC i ss uppo s e dt od e l i be r a t eo nt hes ho r t l i s tt obes ubmi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de ntass t at e di ni t so wnr ul e s . Ho we v e r ,a f t e rt hea bo v eme nt i o ne de s t a bl i s h e dJ BCp r o c e d ur e swe r eac c o mp l i s h e d, whe nt heJ BC me to nJ une5a nd1 6 ,2 0 14t ode l i b e r a t eo nt hes h o r tl i s tt heChi e f J us t i c ema ni _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 9 I tma yber e c al l e dt hatt hemo s tr e c e ntpub l i ci nt e r v i e wso fc a ndi da t e sf o rt he po s i t i o no fChi e fJ us t i c ewe r eal l o we dt ob ec o v e r e dl i v eb yme di a ,no t wi t hs t andi ng t hi sr ul e . 10 Anne xD,JBC Co mme nt . 364

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f e s t e dt ot heo t he rme mb e r so ft heJ BC t ha ts h ewa si n v o ki ngSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o f JBC009ag ai ns tpe t i t i o ne ra st heChi e fJus t i c eb e l i e v e dt hatpe t i t i o ne rd i dno tha v e t he r equi r edi nt egr i t yt obea Membero ft heCourt .On June16 and 17,2014, f or merCourtofAppeal sAs s oc i at eJus t i c eAur or aLagman,aJBCRegul arMember , t e l e pho ne dpe t i t i o ne randi nf o r me dhi mo ft heChi e fJus t i c e ’ si nv o c at i o no fSe c t i o n

2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 0 9a g a i ns thi m.Pe t i t i o n e rwa sf ur t he rr e q u e s t e dt o“ ma ke hi ms e l fa v ai l a bl e ”o nJ une3 0,2 01 4t oa ppe a rb e f o r et heJBC. OnJune24 ,2 01 4,pe t i t i o ne rs e ntal e t t e r 1 1t ot heCo ur tpr a y i ngt h att heCo ur t :( 1 ) di r e c tt heJBC t og i v ehi ma tl e a s tfiv ewo r ki ngd ay swr i t t e nno t i c eo fa nyhe a r i ng a nd s u c h no t i c es h o ul dc o nt a i nt he s wo r ns p e c i fic a t i o ns o ft he c ha r g e s ,s wo r n s t a t e me nt so fs uppo r t i ngwi t ne s s e s ,i fan y ,a ndc o p i e so fs uppo r t i ngdo c u me nt s ;( 2) a l l o w pe t i t i o ne rt opub l i c l yc r o s s e x ami nehi so ppo s i t o rands uppo r t i ngwi t ne s s e s unde rt hes a mec o ndi t i o nsast hepubl i ci nt e r v i e wsf o ral lappl i c a nt s ;( 3)di r e c tt he J BC t or e s e tt hehe a r i ngs c he d ul e df o rJ une30 ,2 01 4;a nd( 4 )d i r e c tt heJBC t o di s a l l o wt heChi e fJus t i c ef r o m par t i c i pat i ngi nt hev o t i ngf r o mt heno mi ne e sf o rt he po s i t i o nv ac a t e db yAs s o c i at eJus t i c eRo b er t oA.Ab ad.Thi sl e t t e rwa sdo c ke t e da s A. M.No .140701SCJBC.Ho we v e r ,asdi s c us s e di nt heDi s s e nt i ng Opi ni o no f J us t i c eBr i o ni nt ha tc a s e ,s a i dl e t t e rwa sb el a t e d l yr a ffle do nJ ul y1 ,20 14o ra f t e r t heJune30 ,2 01 4J BC “ he a r i ng ”a ndt hema j o r i t yo ft heCo ur tr e s o l v e dt ome r e l y no t et he l e t t e rf o rha v i ng b e c o me mo o ta nd a c a de mi cwi t ho u tpr e j ud i c et oa n y r e me d ype t i t i o ne rma yp ur s u e . Ac c o r di ngt ot heJBCCo mme nt ,t hi swaswhatt r ans pi r e do nJune30,2014: On3 0J une2 01 4,Se ni o rAs s o c i a t eJ us t i c eAnt o ni oT.Ca r p i oa pp e ar e dasar e s o ur c e pe r s o nt os he dl i g hto n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 1 Anne xBo ft hePe t i t i o n. 365

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t hev e r yc o nfid e nt i a ll e g a lme mo r a ndum t ha tc l a r i fie sandc o nc r e t i z e st hei nt e g r i t y o b j e c t i o nt ha tt he Chi e fJus t i c er a i s e da g ai ns tpe t i t i o ne r ,whi c h wa sl i ke wi s e di s t r i b ut e d.Chi e fJ us t i c eSe r e noe mpha s i z e dt ha tt h ei na bi l i t yt odi s c har g et he

dut yo ft heSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lac c o r d i ngt ot heappl i c a bl el e g als t andar d so namat t e r o f hi g he s ti mp o r t a nc ea nd e s p e c i a l l yi nl i g ht o ft he c o n t e n t so ft he l e g a l me mo r a nd um i nd i c a t e st ha thedo e sno tp o s s e s st her e q ui r e di nt e g r i t y .Ata b o ut 2 : 0 0p . m.o f3 0J une2 0 14 ,p e t i t i o n e rap pe a r e db e f o r et heJ BC En Banc i na n Ex e c ut i v eSe s s i o n.Chi e fJus t i c eSe r e not o l dpe t i t i o ne rabo utt hei nt e gr i t yi s s ue s r a i s e da ga i ns thi ma nda s k e df o rhi sc o mme nt s . TheChi e fJ us t i c et o l dhi mt ha ts h e wo ul dg i v ea v e r yd e t a i l e d de s c r i p t i o no ft hec a us ea nd na t ur eo ft heo b j e c t i o n ag ai ns thi m,i nc l udi ngf ac t s .Pe t i t i o ne rr e i t e r a t e dhi spr a y e ri nt heaf o r e me nt i o ne d l e t t e r pe t i t i o na nda s ke dt heJ BC t ode f e ri t sme e t i ng ,s i nc ehewase x pe c t i ngt he Supr e meCo ur E t nBanc ,whi c hwo ul db eme e t i ngt h ene x tda y ,t oac to nhi sl e t t e r pe t i t i o n.Spe c i fic a l l y ,hede ma nde dt hatt heChi e fJus t i c ee x e c ut eas wo r ns t a t e me nt o fhe ro b j e c t i o nsandt ha themus tha v et her i g htt oc r o s s e x a mi nehe ri napub l i c he a r i ng .Hei nd i c a t e dt ha tt hes a mes h o ul da l s ober e q ui r e do fSe ni o rAs s o c i a t e J us t i c eAnt o ni oT.Ca r p i o .Co ng r e s s ma nNi e lG.Tup asi nd i c a t e dt ha th ewa nt e dt o he arf o rhi ms e l fp e t i t i o ne r ’ se x pl anat i o n butpe t i t i o ne rr e f us e d.Hef ur t he rs t at e d t ha thewo ul d no tb el ul l e di nt owa i v i ng hi sr i g ht s .Het he np uti nt or e c o r da St a t e me n ta pp e a l i ng t ha tt he J BC “ s t a yt he i rha nd ”t ha td a ya nd l e tt he f ul l Sup r e meCo ur ta dd r e s st hei s s ueo fwha tp r o c e s s[ i s ]d uehi m. I nt hea f t e r no o no ft hes a meda y ,t heJ BCc o n t i nue di t sd e l i b e r a t i o nsa ndpr o c e e de d t ov o t ef o rt heno mi ne e sv i c e Sup r e meCo ur tAs s o c i a t eJ us t i c eAb ad .xxx. 1 2

Thes h o r tl i s to fno mi ne e sr e l e a s e db yt heJ BC o nJ une3 0,2 01 4i nc l ud e dCo ur to f Appe al sJus t i c e sApo l i nar i oD.Br us e l as ,Jr .andJo s eC.Re y e s( bo t hwi t hs i xv o t e s ) , Co m-

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 12 JBCCo mme nt ,pp.23. 366

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mi s s i o no nAud i tCha i rMa r i aGr a c i aM.Pul i d o Ta n( fiv ev o t e s ) ,a ndRe g i o na lTr i a l Cour tJudgeRe ynal doB.Daway( f ourvo t es ) .I ni t sComment ,t heJBC admi t t ed t ha tp e t i t i o ne rg a r ne r e df o ur v o t e sb utwa s no ts ho r tl i s t e dd ue t ot he Chi e f Jus t i c e ’ si nv o c at i o no fSe c t i o n2,Rul e10,JBC009ag ai ns thi m. 13 I ni t sCo mme n t ,t heJ BC a r g ue st ha tt hel a ng ua g eo fSe c t i o n s3a nd4 ,Rul e4o f J BC0 0 9wa sme r e l ydi r e c t o r ys uc ht ha ti twa sno tma nd at o r yf o rt heJ BC t og i v e a na pp l i c a ntwr i t t e nc o p i e so ft he o p p o s i t i o no rt o ho l d a he a r i ng whe r et he appl i c a ntwi l lbeal l o we dt oc r o s s e x ami newi t ne s s e s . The r ei sme r i ti n pe t i t i o ne r ’ sc o n t e nt i o nt hatt he di r e c t o r yl a ng ua ge o fc e r t ai n p r o v i s i o nso fJ BC0 09r e l i e dup o nb yr e s p o nd e ntJ BC s h o ul dbed e e me ds u pe r s e d e d b yt heJ BC’ ss ub s e q ue nti s s ua nc eo fJ BC1 0. J BC1 0r e q ui r e st ha tna me so ft he c a nd i d at e sb ep ub l i s h e da nd t he p ub l i ci s i nf o r me do ft hed e adl i net ofil ewr i t t e na nds wo r no p po s i t i o nst ot hec a nd i d at e ss o na me df o rc o ns i d e r a t i o n.Und e rJBC1 0,i ti sma nd at o r yt ha ta nyo p po s i t i o no n wha t e v e rg r o u nd,i nc l ud i ngi nt e g r i t yq ue s t i o ns ,mus tb ei nwr i t i nga ndunde ro a t h. Thec a nd i d at ei sgi v e n ac o p yo ft heo p po s i t i o na nd ap e r i o do ffiv ed a y swi t hi n whi c ht or e s po nd,i fhes owi s he s .The r ear ede a dl i ne sf o rt hefil i ngo fo ppo s i t i o ns a ndt heans we r st he r e t of o ri ti sa ppa r e nto nt hef a c eo fJ BC1 0t ha ta l ls ubmi s s i o ns mus tb edo nebe f o r et hei nt e r v i e w whi c hi sas e c o ndo p po r t uni t yf o rac a ndi da t et o

n apubl i cproceedi ngwhi ch a ddr e s sal lc o mpl a i nt so ro p po s i t i o nsag ai ns thi m i shal lberecordedi nwri t i ng. I ti sno tdi ffic u l tt og l e a nwh yJBC1 0r e q ui r e st hec o mpl a i nto ro p po s i t i o nt obei n wr i t i ng .A wr i t t e nc o mp l a i nt / o ppo s i t i o n no to nl yi nf o r ms t he c a ndi d at eo ft he c ha r g e sag a i ns thi mb utmo r ei mp o r t a nt l y ,i tl i mi t st hei s s ue st ha thene e d st o ans we rt ot ho s es t at e di nt hec o mpl ai nt / o ppo s i t i o n.Thi s

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I d. 13 ,atp .11 . 367

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pri ordel i mi t at i on ofi ss uesi sc r uc i a lt oduepr o c e s ss uc ht hat ,a tt hepub l i c i nt e r v i e wo ra nys u bs e q ue nthe a r i ng t ob ec o nduc t e d ,t hec a nd i d at ewi l lno tb e s ur pr i s e d by any new mat t e rf or whi c h he has not be e n gi ve n an adeq uat e o p po r t uni t yt opr e p ar ehi sd e f e ns e .Thec o mpl a i ntmus ta l s ob eund e ro a t hno to nl y t opr o t e c tt hec a ndi da t ef r o m unt r ut hf ulc ha r g e sbuta l s ot oa v o i dwas t i ngt heJBC’ s t i mei nv e s t i g at i nga nd e v a l ua t i ng f r i v o l o usc o mpl a i nt s .I ti spr e s ume dt hato nl y t ho s ewhoha v eme r i t o r i o usc o mp l a i nt swi l lfil es wo r ns t a t e me nt sast het hr e a to f o p e ni ngt he ms e l v e st oac ha r g eo fpe r j ur ywo ul db es uffic i e ntde t e r r e ntt onui s a nc e fil i ng s . I nt hepr e s e ntc a s e ,pe t i t i o ne rwa sno tg i v e nac o p yo fa nywr i t t e ns t a t e me nto ft he c har gesagai ns thi m.TheJBC s t at edi ni t sCommento npage2t hatwhenJus t i c e La gma nc a l l e dpe t i t i o ne ro nJ une1 6a nd17 ,wha twa sr e l a y e dt op e t i t i o ne rwa st he i nt e nt i o no ft heChi e fJus t i c et oi nv o keSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJBC0 09a gai ns thi m a ndt her e q ue s tt oma kehi ms e l fa v a i l a b l et oap pe a rb e f o r et heJBC o nJ une30 , 2014.I nt he s ame Comment ,t he JBC woul dc l ar i f yt hatear l i ers t at ementby s t a t i ngt ha tdur i ngt ho s epho nec a l l spe t i t i o ne rwa si nf o r me dt ha tt hei nt e gr i t y i s s u ea g ai ns th i mi n v o l v e d“ t hewa yheha nd l e dav e r yi mp o r t a nts p e c i ficc a s ef o r t heRe p ub l i c ”a ndt ha th eandJ us t i c eLa g ma n“ b r i e flys p o kea bo utt hec a s e . ”The r e wa sa l s ot he a l l e g a t i o nt ha tDe p a r t me n to fJ u s t i c e Se c r e t a r y Le i l ad e Li ma s e p ar a t e l yi nf o r me d pe t i t i o ne ro ft he c o nt e nt o ft he Chi e fJus t i c e ’ so b j e c t i o n. Ho we v e r ,s i nc et he s eno t i c e swe r ev e r b al ,t he r ei sno t hi ngo nr e c o r dt hatwi l ls ho w t hatt he r ewasade t ai l e ds p ec i fic a t i o no ft hec har g e sag ai ns tpe t i t i o ne rdur i ngt ho s e c o n v e r s a t i o n so rt ha tt he o p p o s i t i o n o ft he Chi e fJ us t i c e wa ss uffic i e n t l y c o mmuni c a t e dt ope t i t i o ne r .Fo r mal l yno t i f y i ngac a ndi dat ei nwr i t i ngo ft hec h ar g e s ag ai ns thi m wo r k sf o rt hepr o t e c t i o no ft heCo unc i laswe l l .I ti st hebe s twa yf o rt he

J BC t op r o v et ha ti nd e e dt he r eha db e e na de q u at eno t i c et oa c a nd i d at eo ft he o ppo s i t i o na gai ns thi m.

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No t a b l y ,i nt heJ BC’ sS up pl e me n t a lCo mme n t Re p l yfil e do n l yo nAug us t1 5 ,2 0 14 , t he r ewa sa na dmi s s i o nt ha tt hev e r b ala dv i c eg i v e nt ope t i t i o ne rt hr o ug hJ us t i c e La g ma na ndSe c r e t a r yDeLi mar e f e r r e do n l yt ot he“ hi g hl yi mp o r t a ntc a s e ”t ha t wa ss ub j e c to ft heChi e fJ us t i c e ’ si nt e g r i t yc ha l l e ng er ai s e ddur i ngt heJ une5a nd 1 6 de l i b e r a t i o ns .Ho we v e r ,i nt he i nt e r i m,t he Chi e fJ us t i c ea l l e g e dl yc a me b y i nf o r ma t i o nr e g a r d i nga“ mo r a l i t yi s s ue ”a nda ni s s uei nv o l v i ngs t o c kswhi c hs h e al s oo nl yv e r bal l yi nf o r me dpe t i t i o ne ro fatt hes e s s i o nhe l do nJune30.Thi si sy e t ano t he rvi o l at i o no fpe t i t i o ne r ’ sr i g htt oduepr o c e s s ,s pe c i fic a l l yt her i ghtt oapr i o r de l i mi t at i o no ft hec ha r g e sag ai ns thi ms ot ha thec a na bl ypr e p ar ef o rhi sde f e ns e . Tob es u r e ,t he r ei snol e g a lo rl o g i c a lr e a s o nt oe x e mp tan o p po s i t o rwhoa l s o ha pp e nst ob eame mb e ro ft heJ BCf r o mt her e q ui r e me nto fs e t t i ngf o r t hhi so rhe r o p po s i t i o nt oac a ndi d at ei nwr i t i nga ndunde ro a t hwi t hi nt het i mel i mi tg i v e nt o t he g e ne r a lp ub l i cand t og i v es u c hc a nd i d at ea f a i rpe r i o dt or e s p o nd t ot he o ppo s i t i o ni n wr i t i ngo rdur i nghi spubl i ci nt e r v i e wa spr o v i de df o ri nJBC1 0.A c a ndi dat ef o raj udi c i alpo s i t i o ndo e sno tl o s ehi sc o ns t i t ut i o nal l yg uar a nt e e dr i g ht t od uep r o c e s ss i mp l yb e c a us et heo p po s i t o rt ohi sc a nd i d ac yi st heCha i ro ra me mb e ro ft heJ BC.Mo r e o v e r ,i ft heJ BC s e e sfi tt oe x e mp to n eofi t so wnf r o mt he a ppl i c a t i o no fi t s pub l i s h e dr u l e so fpr o c e d ur e ,i tb e c o me ss u s c e p t i b l et oa n ac c us at i o no fabus eo fpo we ro rar b i t r a r ye x er c i s eo fdi s c r e t i o n. OnJ une30 ,2 01 4,t heJBC he a r dt het e s t i mo n yo fSe ni o rAs s o c i a t eJus t i c eAnt o ni o T.Car p i oa sa“ r e s o ur c epe r s o n”i ns uppo r to ft heChi e fJ us t i c e ’ so b j e c t i o nt ot he pe t i t i o ne r ’ si nt e gr i t y .I two ul da ppe arf r o m t he pl e adi ng st ha tJ us t i c eCar p i o ’ s t e s t i mo n ywa sh e a rdi ne x e c ut i v es e s s i o nwhe r ep r e s uma b l yo nl yt heJ BC me mb e r s

we r ep r e s e nt .The p e t i t i o ne rwa se x c l ud e df r o m t hes e s s i o na nd no ta l l o we dt o pa r t i c i pa t e .Af t e r wa r ds ,pe t i t i o ne rwa sc a l l e dt oa ppe arbe f o r et heJ BC a l s oi nan e x ec ut i v es e s s i o no rc l o s e ddo o rpr o c e e d369

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i ng .I twa so nl ya tt hatt i met ha tt heChi e fJ us t i c epe r s o na l l ya ndv e r b al l ya dv i s e d pe t i t i o ne rwha th e rg e ne r a lo b j e c t i o nswe r eanda s k e dpe t i t i o ne rt oc o mme nt .Whe n t hepe t i t i o ne rd ec l i ne dt oc o mme nt ,o nl yt he ndi dt heChi e fJus t i c ev e r b al l ye xpr e s s

edl y, t hats he wi l lp r o v i de de t a i l e df ac t st os ubs t a nt i a t ehe ro bj e c t i o n. Expect pet i t i onerdecl i ned t opart i ci pat ei nt hats ess i on consi deri ngt hathewas preci sel yquest i oni ngbef oret hi sCourtt hroughhi sl et t eri nA. M.No.140701SC t hepr opri et yoft hatproc eedi ngwhi chs uddenl ydevi at ed f r om t he s t andardpr ocedur eobser vedbyt heJBC.Hedi dnotwantt obedeemedt o have wai ved hi sobj ect i on t ot he proceedi ng by hi sact i ve part i ci pat i on t her e i n. Wec o met ot heq ue s t i o no fwhe t he rp e t i t i o n e rwa sg i v e naf a i rand r e a s o n ab l e o p po r t uni t yt obehe a r do nJ une3 0,2 01 4.Tomymi nd ,b e i ngt o l dv e r b al l yo nt he dat eo ft hes e s s i o ni t s e l fwhatt hee xac tc har g e sa r eag ai ns thi m do e sno ts a t i s f yt he de ma nd so fpr o c e d ur a lf a i r ne s s .Theo ppo s i t o rwo ul dha v eadi s t i nc ta dv a nt a geas s h eha st heo p po r t uni t yt op r e p a r ea r g ume nt sa nds u pp o r t i nge v i d e nc eo ne a c ha nd e v e r yc ha r g es h ei nt e nd st oma kebe f o r et hes e s s i o nd at e .Thec a nd i d at ewo ul db e e ff e c t i v e l yp r e v e n t e df r o m b r i ng i ng wi t h hi m d o c ume n t so rwi t ne s s e st ha tma y r e f ut et he s ec h ar g e ss i nc ehewo ul db eg i v e n de t a i l e dno t i c eo ft he mf o rt hefir s t t i meo nl yatt hes e s s i o n. Wo r s e ,i ta ppe ar st hatpe t i t i o ne rwasde ni e dno t i c eo fand/ o ra c c e s st ot hee vi de nc e us e dag a i ns thi m.

A hi g hl yc o nfide nt i al l e g al me mo r andum t hat pur po r t e dl y“ c o nc r e t i z e s ”t he i nt e g r i t yc h ar g eag ai ns tp e t i t i o ne rwa sdi s t r i b ut e dt oJ BCme mb e r s .Thi sCo ur twa s al s of ur ni s hedt hi sdoc umentt hr ought heJBC’ sCommentasAnnexJ.Iam har d putt ofindi nt hes a i dd o c ume nta nyf a ul ta t t r i b ut e dt ot hepe t i t i o ne ra ndwhe t he r i ti satal lpr o p ert odi s c l o s et hi sdo c ume nt .Di dt heaut ho r sa ndi nt e nde dr e c i pi e nt s o ft hi sh i g hl ypr i v i l e g e dme mo r a ndum whoa r eo nal a wy e r c l i e nt 370

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r e l a t i o ns hi pc o n s e ntt oi t sd i s c l o s ur ea ndus ea se v i de nc ei naJ BCma t t e r ? Se t t i nga s i d ef o rt hemo me ntmyr e s e r v a t i o nsr e g ar di ngt hedi s c l o s u r eo fAnne xJ,I wi s ht opo i nto u tt ha tt hei s s uehe r ei sno twhe t he rt heo p po s i t o rpr e s e nt e ds o c a l l e de v i d e nc eo nt hec ha r g e sma deb utwhe t he rt hec a nd i d at ewa si nf o r me dt ha t t hi swa st hep i e c eo fe v i de nc et ob epr e s e nt e da ga i ns thi mb e f o r et hes e s s i o no n J une30a ndwhe t he rh ewa sg i v e ns u ffic i e n tt i met ome e tt heo p po s i t o r ’ se v i d e nc e wi t h hi so wn c ount er vai l i ng pr oo f .Eve n as s umi ng t hi s was a doc umentt hat pe t i t i o ne rmi g htha v ee nc o unt e r e di nt hec o ur s eo fh i spr e s e n te mpl o y me nt ,i td i d no tme a nt ha th ec a np r o d uc et hedo c ume n t sa ndwi t ne s s e sne e d e df o rhi sd e f e n s e a tamo me nt ’ sn o t i c e . I npa r a gr a ph4 ,pa g e2o fhi sRe p l y ,pe t i t i o ne ra l l e g e dt ha to nJ une3 0hewa sno t f ur ni s hedac opyofAnnexJ whi c h hec amet ol ear n wasdi s t r i but edt ot heJBC Member so ns ai d dat e.I n par agr aph 36,page7 oft heSuppl ement alComment Re pl y ,t heJBC a t t e mp t st or e f ut et hi ss t a t e me ntb yc l a i mi ngt h ati nde e dpe t i t i o ne r wa ss e r v e dac o p yo fAnne xJa ndi tha st hea ffid av i to fs e r v i c et opr o v ei t .Ho we v e r , t heaffida v i to fs e r v i c ec l e ar l ys t a t e dt ha tp e t i t i o ne rwa ss e r v e dac o p yofAnne xJa s partoft heJBC’ sCommento nl yonAugus t12,2014.Themat er i alt i met ohave pr o v i de dpe t i t i o ne rwi t hAnne xJwa sb e f o r et heJ une3 0s e s s i o ns ot ha thec a nme e t i twi t h hi so wn e v i de nc ea tt hes a i d pr o c e e di ng .I ns t e a do fr e f ut i ng pe t i t i o ne r ’ s c l a i mo fl a c ko fno t i c e , t heJ BCha sc o nfir me di t .

Mo v i ngo nt oano t he rpo i nt ,i ti st r uet hati ti sdi s c r e t i o nar yo nt hepar to ft heJBC t ohe a rt e s t i mo n yo nac o mp l a i nta g a i ns tac a nd i d at ebuth a v i ngd e c i d e dt ohe a r s u c ht e s t i mo n y ,p r o c e d ur a ld uep r o c e s sde ma nd st ha tt hec a nd i d at ea tl e a s tb e pr e s e ntt ohe a rt hes ub s t a nc eo ft ha tt e s t i mo n ya ndf o rt ha tt e s t i mo n yt obema de par to ft her e c o r d .Whi l ei ti sno tmandat o r yt hatt hec a ndi dat ebeg i v e nt her i g htt o c r o s s e x ami neawi t ne s s( t hati s , awi t ne s so t he rt hant heo ppo s i t o r 371

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s i nc eSe c t i o n3,Rul e4o fJ BC0 09e x pr e s s l yg r a nt st hec a ndi dat et her i g htt oc r o s s ex ami ne an oppos i t or ) ,t her e mus tbe an offic i aland ac c ur at e ac c ountoft hat wi t ne s s ’ st e s t i mo n y whi c hs h o ul db e di s c l o s e dt ot hec a nd i da t e .Thi sd i s c l o s u r e s ho ul dl i ke wi s eb emadepr i o rt ot heo ppo r t uni t yt obehe ar dt ha twi l lb ea c c o r de dt o t hec a ndi dat e ,i nt hi sc as epr i o rt ot hes e s s i o no nJune30. No t abl y ,t her e ar e mi nut esoft he June 5,June 16,and June 30,2014 JBC me e t i ng s / s e s s i o n sa t t a c he dt ot he Sup pl e me n t a lCo mme n t Re p l y .Ho we v e r ,t he b e l a t e ds ub mi s s i o no ft he s emi nut e sdo e sno tc l a r i f yany t hi ngbutr a t he rr ai s emo r e q ue s t i o ns .Theda t eo ft hec e r t i fic a t i o nsg i v e st hei mp r e s s i o nt ha tt he s emi nut e s we r eo nl ypr e p ar e do nAug us t1 5 ,2 01 4.Thi swo ul dmo s tl i k e l ye x pl a i nwh yt he s e mi nut e s we r e no t at t ac he dt ot he JBC Co mme nt fil e do n Augus t 12,20 14 . Unf o r t unat e l y ,di s c l o s i ngt he s emi nut e so nl yaf t e rt hehe ar i ngs e tf o rpe t i t i o ne r ’ s d e f e ns es e r v e s no p ur p o s e ,s i nc et he a c c us a t i o ns a g ai ns tt he p e t i t i o ne r we r e a r t i c ul a t e db yt he o p po s i t o rChi e fJ us t i c ea nd he rwi t ne s s e x par t ed ur i ng t he c l o s e d d o o rme e t i ngo ft heJ BC.Thep ho nec a l l sa nd v e r b alno t i c e sf r o mJ us t i c e La g ma na nd Se c r e t a r yDeLi ma c o u l d no tha v ef ul l ya p pr i s e dp e t i t i o n e roft he o b j e c t i o nsr a i s e db yt heChi e fJ us t i c e ,whi c hwe r es p e c i fie di nwr i t i ngo nl yi nt he about t hi r t ee npage Subse c t i on I I of t he JBC Suppl ement al Comment Repl y s u bmi t t e dt ot hi sCo ur to nAug us t1 5 ,2 01 4.I twa si mp o s s i b l et ha te i t he rJ us t i c e Lagman orSec r et ar yDeLi mac oul dhaver epeat edt hes ec har ge sco mpl e t el yand ac c ur a t e l ydur i ngt he i rc o nv e r s a t i o nswi t hpe t i t i o ne rpr i o rt ot h eJune30s e s s i o n.

I n fine ,i ti sno te no ug ht ha tac a ndi d at ei sg i v e na no p po r t uni t yt obehe a r d .I t mus tbeareal o ppo r t uni t yt ode f e ndo ne ’ ss e l fandno to net h ati sme r e l yi l l us o r y . The r ei ss o me t hi ngd e e pl yuns e t t l i ngwi t ht hi sunpr e c e d e nt e dpr o c e d ur eado p t e db y t heJBC i npe t i t i o ne r ’ sc as ewhi c hwa sduet ot heune x pe c t e di nv o c a t i o no fSe c t i o n 2 ,Rul e1 0a ppa r e nt l yf o rt hefir s tt i mei nt hehi s t o r yo ft heJBC. 372

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Fr o mt heve r b alno t i c eo fav ag ue ,uns pe c i ficc hal l e ng eag ai ns tpe t i t i o ne r ’ si nt e gr i t y t ot he c o n duc to fc l o s e d d o o re x e c ut i v es e s s i o n sf o ra p ur p o s eo t he rt ha n de l i b e r a t i o nso nt hes ho r tl i s t ,t he s ear eno ta ut ho r i z e db yt heJBC r ul e sandt he y e v e nv i o l a t et hea v o we dp o l i c yo fJ BC0 0 9a ndJ BC1 0t opr o mo t e transparency anduni o fpr o c e dur ei nt heJBC’ sdi s c har g eo fi t sf unc t i o ns . f ormi t y Ib e l i e v ei twa si mpo r t a ntf o rt heJBC t oha v et i me l ya nda c c ur a t e l ypr e p ar e dt he mi nut e so ft heJBC e x e c ut i v es e s s i o nswhe r et hec ha r g e sa ga i ns tp e t i t i o ne rwe r e pr o ffe r e d ,pr o v i de dt he mt ope t i t i o ne ra nds c he dul e dt hehe a r i ngf o rhi sde f e ns eo nl y a f t e rh i sr e c e i p to ft he s emi nut e s ,i no r de rt ha tt heJBC mi g hta r g ua bl ybede e me d t oha v es ubs t ant i al l yc o mpl i e dwi t hpr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s s .Aspe t i t i o ne rc o r r e c t l y p o i nt so uti n hi s Re p l y ,ha v i ng o ffic i a la nd t r u s t wo r t h y wr i t t e nr e c o r d so ft he pr o c e e d i ng so ft heJBC i sl i k e wi s ei nd i s p e ns a b l ei nt hee v e ntt ha taJ BC ma t t e ri s b r o ug htupt ot hi sCo ur tf o rr e v i e w. I ft hes ubj e c tma t t e ro ft heo ppo s i t i o nag ai ns tac a ndi dat ei nv o l v e si nf o r ma t i o no fa hi g hl yc o nfide nt i a lna t ur ea nddi v ul g i ngt hepr i v i l e g e dma t t e rc o ul dno tb ea v o i de d, wo ul dt ha tj us t i f yd i s p e ns i ng wi t h wr i t t e n no t i c e s ,s ub mi s s i o ns a nd a c c ur a t e r e c o r dso ft hepr o c e e d i ng s ?Theans we rs ho ul db ear e s o u ndi ngno .Ani ndi v i dua l ’ s c ons t i t ut i onal r i ght t o due pr oc es sc anno t be s ac r i fice d i n t he name of c o nfid e nt i a l i t y .The J BC s h o ul ds t i l lr e q ui r e a wr i t t e nc o mp l a i ntand a l l o wt he c a ndi d at er e a s o n ab l et i met os ub mi tawr i t t e na ns we ri fhes owi s h e so ra l l o w hi m

t obehe a r do r a l l ya tahe a r i ngf o rwhi c ha c c ur a t er e c o r dss ho ul db eke p t butal l

s ubmi s s i ons and r ecords oft he pr ocee di ngs s hal lbe t r eat ed wi t ht he ut mos tconfident i al i t y. Sect i on2,Rul e10ofJBC009doesnotcont empl at et hatt heopposi t orcoul d beame mbero ft heJBC f ort hatwoul d 373

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amountt oanegregi ousc onfli ctofi nt er es t .

Ase ar l yast hedi s s e nt i ngo pi ni o no fJus t i c eBr i o ni nA. M.No .140701SCJBC,he ha da l r e a dydi s c us s e dt heab s ur di t yo fi nt e r p r e t i ngSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09a s a l l o wi nga n yo n eJ BC Me mb e rt hepo we rt odi s q ua l i f ya na p pl i c a ntb yhi so rhe r me r eo b j e c t i o ns i nc ei nt ha ti ns t anc eu na ni mi t yc a nne v e rb eat t a i ne d. Thei nhe r e ntu nf a i r n e s so ft hes i t ua t i o ni sno ts u ffic i e nt l ya ddr e s s e db yt heJBC Cha i ro rMe mbe r o ppo s i t o ri nhi bi t i ngno tf r o mt hee nt i r es e l e c t i o npr o c e s sb uto n l y

i cul arcandi dat e f r o mv o t i ngo nt heel i g i bi l i t yf o rappo i nt me nto ft he part whoi s t hes u bj e c to fhi so rhe ro b j e c t i o n.Thea c to faJ BC Me mb e r o p po s i t o ri ni n v o ki ng Se c t i o n2,Rul e10o bv i o us l ypr e j udi c e st hec a ndi dat eo bj e c t e dt os i nc eahi g he rv o t e i sr e q ui r e df o rs u c hc a ndi d at et ob es h o r tl i s t e d .Le s so bv i o us l y ,t he s a me a c t b e ne fit sa l lt heo t he rc a ndi dat e sv i s à v i s t hec a ndi dat eo bj e c t e dt os i nc et heo t he r c a ndi d at e swhoar eno tde f e ndi nga g ai ns ta ni nt e g r i t yc ha l l e ng eha v eal a r g e rp o o l o fJBC Me mbe r sf r o m whi c ht hei rvo t e sc an c o meand t heynee do nl ya s i mpl e ma j o r i t yt obei nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s t .I ft heappl i c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2,Rul e10i s no tac o l l e g i a ld e c i s i o no ft heJ BC,i tma yb e us e db yt he Cha i ro ra ny o fi t s Me mb er st opr e j udi c eo rf a v o rapa r t i c u l a rc a ndi da t e .

I ti si nt hi sr e g a r dt ha tt heJ BC p r o c e e d i ng sno wi nq ue s t i o nb e f o r et hi sCo ur ti s g l ar i ng l yv i o l at i v eo ft her ul eag ai ns tb i aso roneo fi t sLat i nf o r mul at i o ns“ne mo de b e te s s ej ude xi npr o pr i ac a us a”( l i t e r a l l y ,t hatnomano ug htt obeaj udg ei nhi s o wnc a us e ) 1 4a spo i nt e do uti nJ us t i c eBr i o n’ sCo nc ur r i ngOpi ni o n. TheJ BC s e e mso bl i v i o ust ot hec o nfli c to fi nt e r e s ts i t ua t i o nt ha ta r i s e swhe nt he oppos i t orunderSec t i on2,Rul e10i samembero ft heJBC.TheJBC wasc r eat ed und e rt heCo ns t i t u_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ eBl 14 Se ac k’ sLa w Di c t i o nar y . 374

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t i o na sa ni nd e pe nd e ntb o dy 1 5t a s k e d wi t ht hed e l i c a t ef unc t i o no fv e t t i ng t he q ua l i fic a t i o nso fa ppl i c a nt st oj udi c i a lpo s i t i o ns ,a mo ngo t he r s .Al t ho ug h Iag r e e wi t ht heJBCt hatt hi sf unc t i o nc a nno te x ac t l yb et e r me dj udi c i alo rq uas i j udi c i al ,I t akee x c e p t i o nt ot h epr o p o s i t i o nt ha tt heCo unc i li sno te ng ag e di nf ac t findi ngo r t hati tne e dno tde t e r mi net het r ut ho rf al s i t yo fano ppo s i t i o nag ai ns tac a ndi dat e . I ft hati ss o ,whydo e si te v e nr e q ui r eo bj e c t o r st os we art ot he i ro ppo s i t i o na nd s u bmi ts u ppo r t i nge v i de nc e ?I nt hi sr e g ar d,J BC me mb e r sd of unc t i o ns i mi l a r l yt o i mp ar t i a li n v e s t i g a t o r so rf a c t find e r s who a r es up po s e dt o ma k ea n unb i a s e d r e c o mme nd at i o no nt hefit ne s so fa c a nd i d at ef o rj ud i c i a lo ffic et ot hePr e s i d e nt bas e donade t e r mi nat i o no fr e l e v antf ac t s . Ho wc o ul daJ BCMe mb e rd i s c ha r g et hef unc t i o no fne ut r a lf a c t finde ri fheo rs h ei s a no ppo s i t o rf o ro neo ft hec a ndi da t e s ,e s p e c i a l l ywhe nt hei nt e nt i o ni st os ub j e c t t ha tc a nd i d at et ot her e q ui r e me n to funa ni mo u sJBC v o t eunl i k et heo t he r swho o nl y ne e d a ma j o r i t yv o t ef o ri nc l us i o ni nt he s h o r tl i s t ?I nde e d ,no i mpa r t i a l i n v e s t i g a t o rwo ul dt a kei tup o n hi ms e l fo rhe r s e l ft oc o mp l a i na bo utt hema nne r t ha tac a nd i d at ep ur p o r t e d l yha nd l e da“ v e r yi mp o r t a nt ”c a s ef o rt heg o v e r nme nt

( whi c hi nc i de nt al l yi ss t i l lpe ndi ngr e s o l ut i o nbe f o r et hepr o p ert r i bunal )whe nno ne o ft hepe r s o n swhowe r ei nt i ma t e l yi nv o l v e di nt ha tc a s eha v es e e nfitt of o r ma l l y o p po s et hec a nd i d at e ’ sb i df o rno mi na t i o n.Onc eaJ BC me mb e rp r e s e nt shi ms e l fo r he r s e l fa sa no p p o s i t o r ,heo rs h et a ke so nt her o l eo fa na dv o c a t ewhoha sa n i nt e r e s ti nt heo ut c o meo ft hev o t i ngf o rt heva c anc yt hatt hec a ndi da t es ubj e c to f t heo bj e c t i o ni sbe i ngc o ns i de r e df o r . Wi t hd ue r e s p e c tt ot he Chi e fJ us t i c e ,he rr o l ea sa na dv o c a t ei s ma ni f e s ti n Sub s e c t i o nI Io ft heSup pl e me nt a lCo mme nt Re p l y , whi c hwa se x p r e s s e dt ob es o l e l y at t r i but abl et ohe r .Subs e c t i o nI Ii sade t ai l e dandpas s i o nat edi s c us s i o no f _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 15 Cha v e zv . Judi c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l ,G. R.No . 2 02 24 2,J ul y1 7 ,2 0 12 ,6 76SCRA 579. 375

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he ro r i g i nali nt e gr i t yo bj e c t i o nt ope t i t i o ne rdur i ngt heJune30s e s s i o nwi t haf e w addi t i onalc har ge si nt he mi x,whi c h wasmade kno wn onl yt hr ough t he JBC Suppl ement alComment Repl y fil ed on August15,2014.MayIal s or es pec t f ul l y po i nto utt ha the rs e t t i ng f o r t hi n wr i t i ng no w he rv e r ys p e c i fic o b j e c t i o ns t o pe t i t i o ne rs ho wst ha tt he r er e a l l ywa sno t hi ngt opr e v e n the rf r o m do i ngt hes a me dur i ngt heappr o p r i a t et i mewhi c hwasdur i ngt hec a l lf o rwr i t t e no ppo s i t i o nsf r o m t hepubl i c .I fo nl ys heha dt a ke nt het i met opr e p ar et hi swr i t t e no ppo s i t i o ne v e na s l a t easJ une24whe np e t i t i o ne rha dr e q ue s t e di nal e t t e rf o rhe rt odos oandg i v e n hi m ar e a s o na bl efiv e da ype r i o dt oans we r ,t hi sma t t e rc o ul dha v eb e e nj ud i c i o us l y r e s o l v e dwe l lahe ado ft hec o ns t i t ut i o nalde adl i nef o rt hePr e s i de ntt oappo i nt .

An oppos i t or f r om t he JBC s houl d i nhi bi tf r om t he e nt i r es e l e c t i on pr oc e e di ngs f or t he v ac ancy f or whi c ht he oppos e dc andi dat ei s be i ng cons i der ed.

We s h o ul dl i k e wi s ec o nt e mp l a t et he p r a c t i c a li mp l i c a t i o ns o fa l l o wi ng a J BC Me mb e rb ea no p po s i t o rund e rSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09ando nl yi nhi b i t i ngi n t hev o t i ngf o rt hec a ndi da t eheo rs heo bj e c t e dt o .Asamat t e ro fpr ac t i c e ,whe nt he J BC s ub mi t st he s ho r tl i s tt ot he Pr e s i d e ntt he c a nd i d at e sa r er a nk e db yt he numb e ro fv o t e st ha tt he yg at he r e ddur i ngt hede l i b e r a t i o n.Thi sr a nki ngi sme a nt t oi ndi c a t et hes t r e n gt ho ft heJBC’ sr e c o mme nda t i o nf o re a c hc a ndi da t ei nr e l a t i o n t ot heo t he r so nt hel i s t .TheJ BC c o nt e nd st ha t ,whe n pe t i t i o ne r ’ si nt e g r i t ywa s c hal l enge d and t he JBC Member oppo s i t or i nhi bi t ed f r om t he vo t i ng on hi s c a nd i d ac y ,hes ho u l d ha v eg o t t e nt hea ffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa l lfiv er e ma i ni ng J BC Me mb e r se l i g i b l et ov o t eo nhi sc a nd i d ac y .No w,s u pp o s ehedi dg e tt heuna ni mo us v o t eo ft heno no b j e c t o r s .I nt he o r y ,t ha two ul d beape r f e c ts c o r e .Sho ul d heb e c o n s i de r e dt oha v et i e df o rfir s twi t ht het woc a ndi da t e swhog o ts i x 376

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o uto fs i xvo t e s ?Wo ul dhet i ef o rs e c o ndwi t ht heo newhogo tfiv eo uto fs i xvo t e so r s h o ul dheb er a nk e da he a do ft ha tp e r s o nbutb e hi ndt ho s ewhog o tauna ni mo u ss i x v o t e s ? I nal lo ft he s ec o ns i de r at i o ns ,as i def r o m pr e s e r v i ngt hei mpar t i al i t yando bj e c t i v i t y o ft hes e l e c t i o npr o c e s s , Iha v ec o met ot hec o nc l us i o nt ha taJBCMe mb e rc a nno tb e a tt hes a met i mea no ppo s i t o ru nde rSe c t i o n2,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 .I nf a c t ,t hec l e ar l ang uag eo ft hes ai ds e c t i o nwhi c hr e q ui r e st hatac a ndi dat es e c ur et hev o t eo f“ al l ” t heMe mb e r so ft heJ BC,d o e sno tc o n t e mp l a t et ha ta no b j e c t i o no naq ue s t i o no f i nt e g r i t yb er a i s e db yt heJBC Cha i ro rMe mb e r .Ot he r wi s e ,t he r ei snone e df o r v o t i ng .The o p po s i t o r ’ sv o t ei sa l r e a dy l o s t .No ne t he l e s s ,i ft he J BC Cha i ro r Me mb e ri si nc l i ne dt ob ea no p po s i t o r ,s ot ha ta c a nd i d at eb es u bj e c t e dt ot he

e x t r a o r d i na r yr e q ui r e me nto fp e r f e c tv o t e sf r o mt heJBC,t hes a i dJ BC Cha i ro r Membermus tc hoo s ewhe t herheors hewant st opar t i c i pat ei nt hei ndependent v e t t i ngo fa l lc a ndi d at e so rt os e r v ea sa na dv o c a t ea ga i ns ts o me o ne ’ sc a ndi da c y . Mo r e o v e r ,i ft heJBC Cha i ro rMe mb e rd e c i d e st opur s u ehi so rh e ro p po s i t i o no fa c a nd i d at eo nt hegr o u ndo fi nt e g r i t y ,t he nt ha tJ BC Cha i ro rMe mb e rs ho u l d( 1 )

compl ywi t ht heproceduralrul esappl i cabl et oal lopposi t ors ,andal s o( 2) i nhi bi tf r om part i ci pat i ngi nt heJBC proceedi ngsand f rom vot i ngf oral l ro rMe mbe rs houl dbe candi dat esf ort hatpart i cul arvacancy.TheJBC Chai c o n s i de r e da no r d i nar yo ppo s i t o ra nds ho ul dno tb eg i v e nt hes pe c i a lc o n c e s s i o n,no t gr a nt e dt oo t he ro ppo s i t o r s ,o fbe i ngabl et ol o bb yag ai ns tt hedi s f a v or e dc a ndi dat e e v e nupt ot hede l i be r a t i o nsa ndt hev o t i ngont hes ho r tl i s t . I nt hi sma nne r ,t heJBCc a nf ul l yc o mpl ywi t ht het hi r dr e q ui s i t ef o rp r o c e dur a ldue p r o c e s s ,t ha to ff r e e d o m f r o m b i a si nt he p r o c e e d i ng s und e r t a ke n .A b l a nk e t i nhi b i t i o nb yt heJBC Cha i ro rMe mb e r Op po s i t o rf o rt hepa r t i c ul a rv ac a nc yl e v e l s t he p l a y i ng fie l df o re v e r y o n e .Whe t he rt he r ei sa ni nt e g r i t yi s s ue a g ai ns ta c a ndi dat eorno t ,al lc a ndi dat e swi l lv i ef o rt hes amepo o lo fv o t e s .I tl i ke wi s es o l v e s t hep r o b l e mo f 377

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r a nki ngs i nc eauna ni mo usv o t ef o rac a nd i d at ewi t ha ni nt e g r i t yc ha l l e ng eme a ns ex ac t l yt he s ame as a unani mous vo t ef ora c andi dat e wi t houtan i nt egr i t y c hal l e ng e .

Anyne w pr oc e dur et obei mpl e me nt e di nr e l at i on t oSe c t i on 2,Rul e10of JBC009 mus tbee mbodi e di n wr i t t e nr ul e sand publ i s he di n or de rt o be val i dandbi ndt hi rdpart i es .

i aJ When t heJBC firs ti s s ued r ul eso fpr oc edure v BC0 09 ,i t si nt e ntwa st os e t do wn i n wr i t i ng t he c r i t e r i ao rg ui de l i ne st ha twi l lg o v e r ni t sdi s c har g eo fi t s c ons t i t ut i onal mandat et or ec ommend f or appoi nt ment c andi dat es t o hi ghl y s e ns i t i v epo s i t i o nsi ng o v e r nme nt ,wi t hduer e g a r dt oc o n s t i t ut i o na la nds t a t ut o r y r e q u i r e me n t s a nd e n s u r i ng t r a ns p ar e n c y ,s t a b i l i t y ,a nd uni f o r mi t y i n i t s p r o c e e d i ng s .Thea v o we dp o l i c i e so ft heJ BC we r ef ur t he rs t r e ng t he ne dwi t ht he i s s uanc e of JBC10 s pec i f yi ng i n mandat or yl anguage t he pr oc edur et o be unde r t a ke nb yt heCo unc i l .Byi s s ui ngb o t hs e t so fr ul e s ,i twast heJBC i t s e l ft hat s e tt he l i mi t sf o rt he p r o p e re x e r c i s eo fi t sf unc t i o n s . We ha v e he l dt ha t a dmi ni s t r a t i v er e g ul a t i o na do p t e dpur s ua ntt ol a w ha st hef o r c eande ffe c to fl a w. 16 Pa r t i e sde al i ngwi t ht heJBC ha v ear e a s o na bl ee x pe c t a t i o nt ha ti two ul df o l l o wi t s o wnpub l i s h e dr u l e s . I ti se l e me nt ar yaswe l lt ha tadmi ni s t r at i v er e g ul a t i o nsandi s s ua nc e sa ffe c t i ngt he r i g ht so ft hi r dpar t i e sr e q ui r epubl i c a t i o nt obev al i d.Publ i c a t i o ni sane c e s s ar y c o mpo ne nto fpr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s st ogi v easwi depub l i c i t ya spo s s i b l es ot ha ta l l pe r s o nsha v i ngani nt e r e s ti nt hepr o c e e di ng sma ybeno t i fie dt he r e o f . 1 7 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 16 Nat i o nalAr t i s tf o rLi t e r at ur eVi r gi l i oAl mar i ov .Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar y,G. R.No . 1 8 90 2 8,J ul y1 6,2 0 13 ,7 0 1SCRA2 6 9,3 1 2. 17 Ar r o y ov .De par t me nt o fJus t i c e,G. R.No s .199082,199085 and 199118, Sept ember18,2012,681SCRA181,228.

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I ft heJ BC wi s he st oa do p tapr o c e dur ef o rani nt e gr i t yo b j e c t i o nunde rSe c t i o n2 , Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 0 9t ha ti sdi ffe r e n tf r o mJ BC1 0 ,s uc h ap r o c e d ur es ho u l d :( 1 )

f a i t hf ul l ya dhe r et ot he c o l l e g i a lna t ur eo ft he J BC;( 2 )c o mpl y wi t ht he b as i c r e q ui r e me nt so fa de q uat eno t i c eo ft heo bj e c t i o n,a mpl eo ppo r t uni t yt obehe a r d,a nd f r e e d o mf r o mb i a so ft hep r o c e e d i ng s ;a nd( 3 )b ee mb o d i e di n wr i t t e nr ul e sdul y pub l i s h e di no r de rt ob i nd t hi r d pe r s o n s .Me a s ur e da g ai ns tt he s es t a nd ar ds ,t he pr o c e dur eado pt e dbyt heJBCi npe t i t i o ne r ’ sc a s ef ai l st het e s to fv al i di t y . Ve r i l y ,t hi si sac l as s i ce x ampl eo fc hang i ngt her ul e si nt hemi ddl eo fag ame ,a s t r at ag e mt ha ti sa nt i t he t i c a lt ot hemo s te l e me nt ar ypr i nc i pl e so ff a i rpl a y .The i nv o c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09a ga i ns tpe t i t i o ne rb e i ngi ne ffe c t ua la nd c o n s i d e r i ng hi s ha v i ng o b t a i ne d a ma j o r i t yv o t ei nf a v o ro fhi s no mi na t i o n , pe t i t i o ne rs ho ul db ede e me di nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s ti na c c o r da nc ewi t ht hepr o p e r appl i c a t i o no ft hepubl i s he danddul ye xi s t i ngr ul e so ft heJBC.

Ther ei s not hi ng i n t he r ec or ds of t hi s case t os upport t he i nt e gri t y c hal l e ng eag ai ns tpe t i t i o ne r .

Thei s s uet hati sde t e r mi nat i v eo ft hi sc as ei swhe t he ro rno tt hepr o c e e di ng sbe f o r e t heJBC v i o l at e dpe t i t i o ne r ’ sc o ns t i t ut i o nalr i g htt oduepr o c e s s .Ho we v e r ,s i nc et h e Chi e fJ us t i c e ,t hr o u g ht heJBC Sup pl e me n t a lCo mme n t Re p l y ,a ndt heDi s s e n t i ng Opi ni o ni ns i s to na r g ui ng t heme r i t so ft hef o r me r ’ si nt e g r i t yc ha l l e ng ea g ai ns t pe t i t i o ne r ,de s pi t et hedang e ro fc o mpr o mi s i ngnat i o nali nt e r e s twi t hi ndi s c r i mi nat e publ i cd i s c us s i o nso fi nt e r na lma t t e r si nt heEx e c ut i v ede par t me nt ,Iwi s ht oma ke t hef o l l o wi ngo bs e r v at i o ns : A c l o s es c r ut i nyo fAnne xJandt hee nt i r er e c o r dso ft hi sc as ewi l ls ho wt heut t e r l ac ko fe v i de nt i ar ybas i st os uppo r tt heo bj e c t i o no nt hegr o undo fl ac ko fi nt e gr i t y r a i s e dag ai ns tt hepe t i t i o ne r . 379

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Pe e l i nga wa yt hee s o t e r i ca c a de mi cdi s c us s i o nso nt hei nt e r na t i o na ll a wc a s es ub j e c t mat t ero fAnne xJ and t he i nnue ndos r e gar d i ngpo s s i bl emo t i v e sf o rt heal l e g ed mi no r i t yl e g alo pi ni o no fpe t i t i o ne r ,t he r ei sno pr o o fo nr e c o r dt hatpe t i t i o ne r c o mmi t t e da na c to fi mpr o p r i e t yi nt hehandl i ngofs a i dc a s ea sSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lo r t ha the wa sp ur s u i ng s e l fis hi nt e r e s t so rt he i nt e r e s t so fa no t he rpa r t yi nt he di s c har g eofhi sdut i e s . Thatp e t i t i o ne rwas“ di s l o y al ”t ot heRe publ i ci sno taf ac t ;i ti sbuta no pi ni o no r c o nc l us i o n,whi c hs h o ul d ha v eb e e ns u pp o r t e d wi t hf a c t s ,t ha ti s ,d o c u me nt a r y e vi denc e and s wor n t es t i moni es or affidavi t sf r om wi t nes s e s wi t h per s onal kno wl e dg eo ft hema t t e ri nv o l v e d.TheChi e fJ us t i c ec o ul dno tpo s s i b l yha v epe r s o na l k no wl e d g e o ft he i nt e r na ld e l i b e r a t i o n s a nd d i s c us s i o n s i n t he Ex e c ut i v e de p ar t me ntr e g ar di ngt hea f o r e s a i di nt e r n at i o na lc a s eb e c a us ei fs h ed o e st he nI wo ul df e a rt hee r o s i o no ft hes e p ar a t i o no fp o we r si no urg o v e r nme nt .Se c r e t a r yDe Li ma ,whoi sp a r to ft heCa bi ne t ,wo ul de v e ns t a t et ha ts h ewa sno tc l e a rwhe na nd ho wt hes t r a t e g yc o mp l a i ne do fb yt heChi e fJ us t i c eha pp e ne da ndi ft hi swa st he p e t i t i o n e r ’ si d e a . 1 8 Mo r ei mp o r t a nt l y , Se c r e t a r y De Li ma d i d no tq ue s t i o n pe t i t i o ne r ’ si nt e gr i t yandv o t e df o rhi si nc l us i o ni nt hes ho r tl i s t .Ne i t he ri st he r e a ny t hi ng o nr e c o r dt oi nd e pe nde nt l yc o r r o b o r a t et hemo r a l i t yi s s ueo rt hes t o c k t r a ns a c t i o ni s s uewhi c hwe r ea l l e g edl yr e po r t e dt ot heChi e fJus t i c e . Ev e r yl a ws t ud e ntk no wst ha tma t t e r sa t t e s t e dt ob y ap e r s o n wi t h nope r s o na l k no wl e d g eo ft hes a mes h al lb ed e e me dhe a r s a ywhi c h ha snopr o b a t i v ev a l ue . 1 9 s ev .Ang e l e s TheCo u r the l di nJo : 20 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 18 Se eJ BCMi nut e so ft heJ une5 ,2 01 4Ex e c ut i v eSe s s i o n,p p.2and3. 1 9 Se e ,f o re x a mp l e ,PNOC Shi ppi ng and Tr ans po r tCo r po r at i o nv .Co ur to f Appe al s ,3 58Phi l .3 8,5 6;2 97SCRA4 02 ,4 21( 1 99 8) . 2 0 G. R.No . 1 8 78 9 9,Oc t o b e r2 3 ,2 0 13 ,7 0 8SCRA5 0 6.

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Evi dence i s hear s ay when i t s pr obat i ve f or c e depends on t he c ompet enc y and c r e d i b i l i t yo fs o me p e r s o n so t he rt ha nt he wi t ne s sb y who m i ti ss o ug htt ob e p r o d uc e d .The e x c l us i o no fh e a r s a ye v i d e nc ei sa nc ho r e do nt hr e er e a s o n s :( 1 ) a bs e nc eo fc r o s s e x ami na t i o n;( 2)a bs e nc eo fde me a no re v i de nc e ;a nd( 3 )a bs e nc eo f o a t h .Ba s i cunde rt her ul e so fe v i de nc ei st ha tawi t ne s sc a no nl yt e s t i f yo nf a c t s wi t hi n hi so rhe rpe r s o na lk no wl e d g e .Thi sp e r s o na lk no wl e d g ei sa s u bs t a nt i v e pr e r e qui s i t ei nac c e pt i ngt e s t i mo ni ale v i de nc ee s t abl i s hi ngt het r ut ho fadi s put e d f ac t .Co r o l l ar i l y ,ado c ume nto ffe r e daspr o o fo fi t sc o nt e nt shast obeaut he nt i c a t e d i nt hema nne rp r o v i de di nt her ul e s , t ha ti s ,b yt hepe r s o nwi t hp e r s o na lkno wl e d ge o ft hef ac t ss t at e di nt hedo c ume nt .( Ci t at i o nso mi t t e d) He ar s a y ,who me v e rt hes o ur c e ,i ss t i l lhe ar s a y . If ul l ya g r e ewi t hJ us t i c eBr i o nt ha ta l t ho u g ht heJ BC r ul e sa l l o wt heJ BC t o unde r t a keadi s c r e e tb ac k gr o undc he c k ,i fs uc ha ni nv e s t i g at i o ny i e l dsama t t e rt ha t ma yb es ub j e c to fa no ppo s i t i o nt he ns uc ho ppo s i t i o ns ho ul db ei nwr i t i ng .Re l i a nc e on i nf or malc ompl ai nt sr eac hi ng t he ear sofJBC Member sc anno tbedee med s u ffic i e ntc o mpl i a nc ewi t hd uepr o c e s s ,e s p e c i a l l ywhe nt hena t ur eo ft hec o mpl a i nt ma yt r i g g e ra na pp l i c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 t ha two ul ds e to n e c a ndi d at ea pa r tf r o mt heo t he r si nt e r mso ft her e q ui r e dv o t et obei nc l ude di nt he s h o r tl i s t .Ha r d e a r n e dr e p ut a t i o ns ma yl i k e wi s ebe s u mma r i l yd e s t r o y e db ya p ub l i ca nno unc e me ntt ha tac a nd i d at ef o rj ud i c i a lo ffic ewhoo t he r wi s eg a r n e r e da ma j o r i t yv o t ewa se x c l ud e df r o mt hes ho r tl i s tb yt heJBC o nt hegr o undo fl a c ko f i nt e gr i t y .Asa ni nde pe nde nt ,c o ns t i t ut i o na ls c r e e n i ng b o dy t ha ti she l di n hi g h r e g a r db yt hepub l i c ,t heJBC s h o ul db as ei t sd e t e r mi na t i o nt ha tac a ndi da t edo e s no th a v et he r e q ui s i t ei nt e g r i t yt o ho l dj ud i c i a lo ffic eo ns o me t hi ng mo r et ha n s p e c ul a t i o n,r umo ro runv e r i fie dr e p o r t . 381

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Re c omme ndat i onRe gar di ng Re vi e w oft heJbcRul e s

Sho ul dt heJBCi nt heaf t e r mat ho ft hi sc o nt r o v e r s yfindi tappr o p r i a t et or e v i e wi t s r ul e so fpr o c e dur e ,Iha v ear e c o mme nda t i o nwi t hr e s pe c tt ot hei nt e r p r e t a t i o na nd a ppl i c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09 .

The

JBC

mus t

de fine

what

c ons t i t ut e sani nt e gr i t yque s t i o n.

Af t e ra c ar e f ul pe r us al o ft he c o pi e so ft he JBC mi nut e s at t ac he dt ot he Suppl ement alComment Repl y ,Io bs er vet hatt her ei sno c onse ns usamong t he me mb e r so ft heJBC wha ta ni nt e g r i t yi s s uee nt a i l sa ndwhe t he ra ni nt e g r i t yi s s u e e v e ne x i s t si nt hec a s eo fpe t i t i o ne r .Ir e p r o duc ehe r et her e l e v ante x c e r pt soft he mi nut e so ft heJ BCs e s s i o n sa t t a c he dt ot heSup pl e me n t a lCo mme n t Re p l y :

Fr om t hemi nut esoft heJune5,2014JBC Execut i veSess i on: Se na t o rPi me nt e li nq ui r e do nt hede fini t i o no fi nt e gr i t yasc o nt e mpl a t e di nSe c t i o n 2 ofRul e 10.He as ked:Doe st he i nci denthavet oi nvol ve “ money? ”Doe st he a ppl i c a ntha v et obei nv o l v e di na ni nc i de ntwhe r eher e c e i v e dac o n s i de r a t i o na sa publ i co ffic i a l ?Hes t a t e dt ha ti tma yb e[ a ]g o o di de at oputo nr e c o r dwhati nt e gr i t y i s s u e su nd e rRul e1 0ma yi nc l ud e .

Congr es s man TupasxxxUnl es si tc an bes ho wn t hather ec ei ve ds ome t hi ng i n r e t ur nxxxo ri fi tc a nb es a i dt ha t“ c o r r up ti t o ,k umuha s i y angp e r a, ”h eha s r e s e r v a t i o nst hatt hepr o v i s i o nsi nt heRul e so ni nt e gr i t ywo ul dappl y . 21 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 1 Mi nut e so ft heJ une5 ,2 01 4J BCEx e c ut i v eSe s s i o n,p .3 . 382

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Fr om t hemi nut esoft heJune16, 2014JBC Execut i veSess i on: Se c r e t a r yDeLi mao p i ne dt ha tt heg r o und si na s s a i l i ngi nt e g r i t yund e rRul e10 , Se c t i o n2a r eno tv e r yc l e a r .Ho we v e r ,b as e do nwha tha sbe e ndi s c us s e ds of a r ,s h e i s no ts ur ei ft he r ei s a de a r t ho fi nt e g r i t ya sf a ra s So l .Ge n.J ar de l e z ai s c o nc e r ne d. 22 I tb e ar ss t r e s s i ng he r et ha tt he q ua l i fic a t i o ns o fc o mpe t e nc e ,i nt e g r i t y ,a nd pr obi t y/ i ndependenc e ar ec ov er ed by di ffer ent r ul es under JBC009.Onl y an i nt e g r i t yi s s uewi l lt r i g g e rt hehi g he rv o t er e q ui r e me ntt os e c ur ea no mi na t i o n. Ho we v e r ,t heJBC’ sr u l e sd ono to ffe ra nyde fini t i o no fa ni nt e g r i t yi s s ueo t he rt han t oo bl i que l yr e f e rt oi ta spe r t ai ni ngt o“ mo r a lfit ne s s . ” 23Co ns i de rt hede fini t i o ni n Bl a c k ’ sLa w Di c t i o na r yo ft het e r m: e di ns t a t ut e s pr e s c r i b i ng t he q ua l i fic a t i o ns o fp ub l i co ffic e r s , I nt e gr i t y.As us e c t r us t e e s ,t . ,t hi st e r m me a nss o u ndne s so fmo r a lpr i nc i p l eandc ha r a c t e r ,a ss ho wn b yo nepe r s o nd e al i ngwi t ho t he r si nt hema ki ngandpe r f o r ma nc eo fc o nt r a c t s ,a nd fid e l i t ya nd ho ne s t yi nt hedi s c ha r g eo ft r u s t s ;i ti ss y no n ymo uswi t h“ pr o b i t y , ” “ ho ne s t y ”a nd“ upr i g ht ne s s . ”( Unde r s c o r i ngs uppl i e d) Theo v e r l a ppi ngo ft hec o nc e p t i o nso ft het e r msi nt e gr i t yandpr o b i t yi sama t t e r t ha tha sgr a v ei mpl i c a t i o nsi nt hei mpl e me nt a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09 .

The unc e r t a i nt ya nd c o n f us i o nt ha tt a i nt e dt he J BC’ sd i s c us s i o n sd ur i ng t he e x e c ut i v es e s s i o nso npe t i t i o ne r ’ sc as ebe ho o v et heJBC t ode fini t i v e l ys pe c i f yi ni t s r ul e swhatwi l lc o ns t i t ut eani nt e gr i t yc hal l e ng e. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 2 Mi nut e so ft heJ une1 6 ,2 01 4J BCEx e c ut i v eSe s s i o n ,p .2 . eSe 23 Se c t i o n3 ,Rul e4o fJ BC0 09 . 383

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TheJBC mi nut esal s obearoutt hatmanyoft hei s s uest ouc hedupon i nt he po ne nc i aa ndt hec o n c ur r i ngo p i ni o nsa l r e a dyo c c ur r e dt ot heCo unc i l ’ sme mb e r s .To i l l us t r at e :

Fr om t hemi nut esoft heJune16, 2014JBC Execut i veSess i on: Att hi sj unc t ur e ,Co ngr e s s man Tupass ugg e s t e d ar e vi e wo ft he JBC Rul e so n i nt e gr i t ya ndwe nto nt or e a dt hepr o v i s i o ni nRul e10,Se c t i o n2t he r e o f : “ Se c .2[ . ] Vo t e sr e q ui r e dwhe ni nt e g r i t yo faq ual i fie dappl i c a nti sc hal l e ng e d.—I n e v e r yc a s ewhe r et hei nt e gr i t yo fa na ppl i c a ntwhoi sno to t he r wi s edi s q ual i fie df o r no mi na t i o ni sr a i s e do rc ha l l e ng e d ,t hea ffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa l lt heMe mb e r so ft he Co unc i lmus tbeo bt ai ne df o rt hef a vo r a bl ec o ns i de r a t i o no fhi sno mi nat i o n. ” Co n gr e s s ma n Tup ass t r e s s e ds i nc et hi si st he fir s tt i me t ha tt he Rul e wi l lb e i nv o ke d,t he r ei sne e dt oc a r e f ul l ye x ami net heRul e s .Fo ri ns t a nc e ,ho w ma nyv o t e s mus tac a nd i d at eg ar n e rwhe nt hea ffir ma t i v evo t eo fa l lMe mb e r so ft heCo u nc i li s r e q u i r e d und e rRul e1 0 ,Se c .2 .The r ei sa l s ot he ma t t e ro f whoc a nr a i s eo r c ha l l e ng et hei nt e g r i t yo fa na ppl i c a nt :mus ti tb er a i s e dbyaMe mb e r ,o rc anano n-

Me mb e rr a i s eo rc ha l l e ng eund e rt heRul e . twhats A mayt hechal l engeon t ag e

t hei nt egri t yofan appl i cantbe r ai s ed?Shoul dt herenotbeaneed f ora pri orcompl ai ntorobj ect i on? Secr et ar y De Li ma comment ed t hat t he Rul es do not s ay whet her t he ( Emp ha s e ss up pl i e d ) chal l engemus tbemadebyani ns i deroranout s i der . Ye td e s p i t et hef a c tt ha tt heCo unc i lme mb e r sf a i l e dt oc o met oa nyag r e e me nt r e g a r d i ngt he s ec o nt e nt i o usi s s ue s ,no tt hel e a s to fwhi c hwa st hede fini t i o no fa n i nt e gr i t yc ha l l e ng e ,a ndwi t ho ute s t a bl i s hi ngde fini t epa r a me t e r so nho wSe c t i o n2, 384

384



Rul e10 ofJBC009 s houl d beappl i ed,t he maj or i t y oft he JBC Member swer e s p ur r e di nt oappl y i ngSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10t ope t i t i o ne rpur e l ybe c a us ei twa si nv o ke d byt heJBCChai r .

Twos t epvot i ngi sneces s aryt opre se rvet hecol l egi alcharact eroft heJBC.

Af t e ran i nt e gr i t yc hal l e ng e hasbe e n made i nc o mpl i anc e wi t ht he pr o c e dur al

i mi naryvot e r equi r ement sunderJBC10,t heJBC s houl dt akea prel onwhet her s uc hc ha l l e ng et oac a ndi da t et r ul yi nv o l v e daq ue s t i o no fi nt e g r i t yb as e do ne ac h Co unc i lme mb e r ’ sa ppr e c i a t i o no ft hema t e r i a lf a c t sa ndt he ymus tde t e r mi nei ft he i s s uei ss ub s t ant i ale no ug ht or e q ui r ea ppl i c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2,Rul e1 0o fJBC0 09 . TheJBC s ho ul dno tr e l yo nt heo ppo s i t o r ’ sc h ar a c t e r i z a t i o no fhi so wno b j e c t i o na s a ni nt e g r i t yq ue s t i o na swha tha pp e ne di nt hi sc a s e .TheJBC s h o ul dc a t e g o r i c a l l y de c i debyma j o r i t yv o t eo nt hee xi s t e nc eo fas ubs t ant i ali nt e gr i t yi s s uewhi c hwi l l war r antt heappl i c a t i o no fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10t oapar t i c u l arc a ndi da t e .Onl yt he n

s h o ul dt heJ BC v o t eo nt heno mi na t i o nso ft hec a nd i d at e st ode t e r mi newhowi l lb e s ho r tl i s t e d.Be f o r et hes e c o n dv o t i ng ,i ts ho ul db ec l e art ot heJBC ho w man yv o t e s e a c hc a nd i d at es h o ul dg a r ne rt ob eno mi na t e d . I nv i e wo ft hehi g hl ypr e j udi c i ale ffe c to fani nt e gr i t yc hal l e ng et oac a ndi dat e ,my pr opo s ed t l le ns u r et ha ta ma j o r i t yv o t ei sfir s t wos t ep vot i ng pr ocedurewi r e a c he do nt he e x i s t e nc eo ft he i nt e g r i t yi s s u eb e f o r et he J BC wi l lr e q ui r ea una ni mo u sv o t eo nt hefit ne s so fas p e c i ficc a nd i d at ef o rn o mi na t i o n.Dur i ngt he s e c o ndv o t i ng ,e a c hJ BC Me mb e ri sp uto nno t i c et ha ti fheo rs hedo e sno tv o t ef o r t hatc a ndi da t e ’ sno mi nat i o ni twi l lme a ne x c l us i o no ft ha tc a ndi dat ef r o mt hes ho r t l i s tf o rl ac ko faunani mo usv o t e .Thes e c o ndv o t ewi l lc l e ar l ye vi nc et hei nt e nto ft he no n v o t i ngme mb e r ( s )t os oe x c l ud eac a nd i d at e .Thr o ug ht hi spr o c e d ur e ,t heJ BC c a na v oi dt hepe r ni c i o uss i t uat i o no fami no r i t ybe i ngabl et opr e j udi c eac a ndi dat e ’ s a ppl i c a t i o no nt he i rme r ema ni f e s t a 385

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t i o nt hatt he yar ei nv o ki ngSe c t i o n2,Rul e1 0o nani nt e gr i t yque s t i o n.

Ont hePr ay erf ora Tempor aryRe s t r ai ni ngOr de r

On t hi sma t t e r ,s u ffic ei tt os a y ,t ha tIc o nc urwi t ht heJ BC t ha tt hePr e s i d e nt ’ s e x e r c i s eo fh i sp o we rt o fil la v a c a nc yi nt hi s Co ur twi t hi nt he d e ad l i ne i sa c ons t i t ut i onalmandat et hatmay no tbe enj oi ned by any c ourt .I n any ev ent , pe t i t i o ne r ’ spr a y e rf o rat e mpo r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r d e rwo ul db er e nde r e dmo o ta nd a c a de mi cb yt heCo ur t ’ sdi s p o s i t i o no ft hi sc a s eont heme r i t s ,whe t he rf a v o r a bl yo r unf a v or a bl y .

Concl us i on

I ti ss e t t l e di no urj ur i s pr ude nc et hat : Asac o nc e pt ,“ gr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o n”de fie se x ac tde fini t i o n;g e ne r al l y ,i tr e f e r st o “ c a pr i c i o u so r whi ms i c a le x e r c i s eo fj ud g me n ta si se q u i v a l e n tt ol a c k o f j ur i s di c t i o n” ;t heabus eo fdi s c r e t i o nmus tbepat e ntandgr o s sast oamo untt oan e v a s i o no fapo s i t i v edut yo rav i r t ua lr e f us a lt ope r f o r m adut ye nj o i ne db yl a w,o r t oac ta ta l li nc o nt e mpl at i o no fl a w,aswhe r et hepo we ri se x e r c i s e di nanar b i t r a r y a ndde s p o t i cmanne rb yr e a s o no fpa s s i o na ndho s t i l i t y .Me r ea bus eo fdi s c r e t i o ni s no te no ug h;i tmus tb eg r a v e .Weha v ehe l d,t o o ,t ha tt heus eo fwr o ngo ri r r e l e v ant c o ns i de r at i o nsi n de c i di nga ni s s uei ss uffic i e ntt ot ai ntade c i s i o nma ke r ’ sa c t i o n wi t hgr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o n. 24( Ci t at i o nso mi t t e d)

Si nc et hea ppl i c a t i o no fSe c t i o n 2,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 t ope t i t i o ne rvi o l a t e dhi s c o ns t i t ut i o nal l yguar a nt e e dr i g htt oduepr o c e s sa ndt hepe t i t i o ne rha vi nggar ne r e d ama j o r i t y _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 24 Mi t r av .Co mmi s s i o no nEl e c t i o ns,G. R.No . 1 9 19 3 8,J ul y2 ,2 0 10 ,6 2 2SCRA7 4 4, 766. 386

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v o t eo ft heJBC Me mb er s ,Iv o t et opar t i a l l ygr a ntt hepe t i t i o na ndt ode c l a r et ha t t hepe t i t i o ne rb ede e me di nc l ud e di nt hes ho r tl i s ts u bmi t t e db yr e s p o nd e ntJ BC t o

t hePr e s i de nt .Co ns i de r i ngt het i mee l e me nti nv o l v e da nd t oo b v i a t ean yf ur t he r de l a yt ha tma yr e n de rmo o tt heCo ur t ’ sf a v o r a bl eac t i o no nt hi sc a s e ,Ia l s ov o t et o de c l a r eourde c i s i o ni mme di a t e l ye x e c u t o r y .

SEPARATECONCURRI NG OPI NI ON

BRI ON, J. :

Pr e f at or ySt at e me nt

Iwr i t et hi sSepar at eConc urr i ngOpi ni ont oe xpr es smyCONCURRENCE wi t ht he po ne nc i ao fmye s t e e me dc o l l e a g ue— J us t i c eJ o s eCa t r a lMe n do z a— a ndt or e fl e c t myo wnvi e wsont hi sc as eo ffir s ti mpr e s s i o n. Thi sc a s ei st hefir s tt e s t ,s i nc et hee s t ab l i s hme nti n1 987o ft heJudi c i a la ndBa r Co unc i l( t heJBC) ,o fi t se v e n ha nd e dne s sa ndt h ee xt e ntoft hedi s c r e t i ong r a n t e d t oi ti nde t e r mi ni ngt hes ho r tl i s to fno mi ne e sf o rav ac a ntpo s i t i o ni nt hej udi c i ar y . The s eq ue s t i o nsa r epo s e di nt hec o nt e x to fal l egat i onsofprocedurali nfirmi t i es t hatv i o l at e danappl i c a nt ’ sr i g htt oduepr o c e s s ,aswe l lasc l ai mso fp ar t i al i t yi n t hes e l e c t i o npr o c e s s . I nr e s o l v i ng t he s eq ue s t i o ns ,wemus ti ne v i t a bl ya l s ol o o ka tt heext entoft he Court ’ ssuper vi s oryaut hori t yovert heJB , C a swe l la st heCo ur t ’ se x pa nd e d j ur i s di c t i o n unde rt heCo ns t i t ut i o nt ode t e r mi negr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o no nt he p ar to ft heJ BC,ag o v e r nme nt a lb o dy . No t a bl y ,o urde c i s i o ni nt hi sc a s et ouches on mat t er s ofnat i onali nt er es t , amongt he m,t hePr e s i de nt ’ sappoi nt me ntpowe rt ha tmus tr e ma i nunf e t t e r e d andt oi t sf ul l e s t ,t ot hee xt e ntal l o we db yt heCo ns t i t ut i o n.Ot he r wi s es t at e d,t ot he e x t e ntt ha tt heJ BCde p ar t sf r o mt heg ui de l i ne s

387

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i thasi t s e l fs e tandc o mmi t sgr a v eabus eo fd i s c r e t i o ni nunde r t aki ngi t ss e l e c t i o n, t hePr e s i de nt ’ se xe r c i s eofhi sappo i nt i ngaut ho r i t yi sf e t t e r e dandl e s st hanf ul l . Anygr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o nb yt heJBC l i ke wi s e affe c t st heSupr e meCourt whi c ht he nwi l lno tha v et heb ene fito ft heb e s tandt hebr i g ht e s tt ha tt hePr e s i de nt wi l lc ho o s e.Addi t i o nal l y ,anyabus eofdi s c r e t i o ni so fg r e ati nt e r e s tt ot heCo ur tas i t sr e p r e s e n t a t i v et ot hatbo dy i si t s Chi e ac t i ons i nt he JBC efJus t i cewhos s e l e c t i o ns ho ul dbenol e s st hans t e r l i ngi nke e pi ngwi t ht henat ur eo fhe rp o s i t i o n a ndt het r us tt ha tt hena t i o npl a c e so nt heChi e fJ us t i c ea ndt heCo ur t . La s tb utno tt hel e a s t ,a ny s e l e c t i o na t t e nde dt ob y une t hi c a la nd un pr i nc i p l e d b e ha vi o rwi l lha v et ob eo fi nt e r e s tt ot henat i o n asi tme a nst het r i ump ho fe v i l a ndi mmo r a l i t yt ha tt hewho l ena t i o nno wwi s h e st oe r a di c a t ea sane c e s s a r yme a ns t oac hi e v ei t sc he r i s he dg oal s .

I . TheAnt e ce de nt s

On J une2 4,2 01 4,t hepe t i t i o ne rSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lFr a nc i sJa r d e l e z a p (e t i t i o ne r , Jar de l e z ao p r e t i t i o ne rJar de l e z a)fil e dal e t t e r pe t i t i o nb e f o r et heSupr e meCo ur t ( t he June24,2014 l e t t e r) ,a l l e g i ng a c t sa nd i nc i de nt st ha tde p r i v e d hi m o fdue p r o c e s sd ur i ng t he s e l e c t i o no fn o mi ne e sf o rt he Sup r e me Co u r tpo s i t i o nt ha t As s o c i at eJus t i c eRo be r t oA.Abadv ac at e do nMa y22,2014. I nt hi sJune24,2014l e t t e r ,pe t i t i o ne rJar d el e z aal l e ge dt hat :

r e no)ma a .Chi e fJ us t i c eMa r i aLo ur d e sP.A.Se r e no(CJSe dea c c us a t i o nsag a i ns t hi si nt e gr i t yt wi c e e , xpar t e ,wi t ho uti nf o r mi nghi mo ft hena t ur eandc a us eo ft he a c c us a t i o na ndwi t ho utg i v i nghi mt heo ppo r t uni t yt ob ehe a r d ; 3 88

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b .TheJ BC v i o l a t e di t so wn r u l e s ,s p e c i fic a l l y ,Rul e4o fJ BC0 09a ndSe c t i o n2 , Rul e10o fJ BC0 09,i nc o ns i de r i nghi sfit ne s sf o rt hepo s i t i o no fAs s o c i at eJus t i c eo f t heS up r e meCo u r t ; 1 c .Asr e p o r t e di nt heMa ni l aTi me s ,CJSer enoev endeni edt heMember soft he Co ur t ,t hr o ug hmi s r e p r e s e nt a t i o n,o ft her i g htunde rt heRul e so ft heJ BC t oma ke t he i rr e c o mme nd at i o nst ot heJ BC. 2 The Co ur tEn Banc ,o nJ ul y8 ,2 01 4a nd a f t e rde l i b e r a t i o na nd v o t i ng ,s i mpl y NOTED J a r d e l e z a ’ sl e t t e r J (ul y8,2014Re s o l ut i o n)s i nc et her e l i e f si tpr a ye df o r , a c c o r d i ng t ot heCo ur t ’ sma j o r i t y ,ha v eb e c o memo o ta f t e rt heJ ud i c i a la nd Ba r Co unc i l J (BC)t r a ns mi t t e di t sl i s to fno mi ne e st ot hePr e s i de nt .TheRe s o l ut i o na t t hes a met i mes t a t e dt ha ti ti s“wi t ho utp r e j udi c et oanyr e me d y ,av ai l ab l ei nl a w andt her ul e st hatt heSo l i c i t o rGe ne r alJar de l e z ama ys t i l lwi s ht opur s ue. ” Idi s s e nt e d f r o mt heCo ur t ’ sapproach i nc o ns i de r i ngt hel e t t e r pe t i t i o nandf r o m

t i cesTeresi t a i t sr ul i ng,a ndwa sj o i ne di nt hi sDi s s e ntb yt hr e ec o l l e a gue s— Jus J.Leonar doDeCas t ro,LucasP.Ber s ami nandJos eCat r alMendoza .I nt hi s s a me Di s s e nt ,Il i ke wi s eno t e dt he pe c u l i art i mi ng o ft he r e c e i p to ft he l e t t e r pe t i t i o na nd t he r e s u l t i ng de l a yi ni t sc o ns i de r a t i o n. The pr e s i de nt i a lt i me l i mi t a t i o ni ne x e r c i s i ng t he p o we ro fa p po i nt me ntwa sa mo ng t hei s s ue sr a i s e d d ur i ngt hed e l i b e r a t i o n sa ndwa sac o ns i d e r a t i o ni nt her e c o mme nd at i o nsIt he n madet ot heCour t . Mor et han t he del ay and s hor n ofl egal es e,t he Cour ts i mpl y buteffec t i ve l y di s mi s s e dt heJune24,2014l e t t e r pe t i t i o n.I te ffe c t i v e l ys ai d:wer e ady o url e t t e r butwhaty ous ai dwas

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 Le t t e ro fSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lFr a nc i sH.Jar d e l e z a,June2 4,2014,p.5. 2 Jo marCanl as Hi , ghCo ur tj us t i c e spo we r sc l i ppe d,TheMani l aTi mes ,June18, 2014;JomarCanl as,SC Jus t i c e sCo n f r o n tSe r e noo n Va c a nc yI s s ue,TheMani l a Ti me s ,J une19 ,2 0 14 . 389

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no tg o o de no ug hast heJ BChadal r e adyac t e dandy o uwe r et o ol a t e ;i fy o ut hi nky o u s t i l lhav eo t he rr e as o nst oq ue s t i o nt heJBCac t i o ns,t he ny o uar ef r e et oai rt he mb ut t i mel i mi t at i o nsi nt hePr e s i de nt ’ sappo i nt i ngpr o c e s sar ey o urc o nc e r ns . I nb l untTag al o g ,t heCo ur ts i mpl ys a i d:“t aposnaangJBC,bahal akanas abuhay mo ! ”I nt hi sma nne r ,t heCo ur t ’ sma j o r i t ydi s mi s s i v e l yha ndl e da ndb r us h e da s i d ea ma t t e ro fut mo s ti mpo r t a nc et ot hePr e s i de nt ,t ot heCo ur ti t s e l fa ndt ot hec o unt r y . TheCo ur ts ho ul dno tha v eo nl ys e r i o us l yc o n s i de r e dJ ar de l e z a ’ sl e t t e r( i nl i g hto f t he s e r i o us n e s so fi t sa l l e g a t i o ns a nd t he ma t t e ri nv o l v e d )b yg i v i ng i tf ul l v e nt i l a t i o na nd t he o p po r t uni t i e st ha ta f a i rhe a r i ng e mb o di e s ;t he Co ur t ,t o o , s ho ul dha vehandl e dt hel e t t e r pe t i t i o ne x pe di t i o us l yg i v e nt hePr e s i de nt ’ sl i mi t e d t i met oac t . 3 I nmyDi s s e nt ,Is t r e s s e dt ha tt heCo ur ts h o ul dha v eunde r t a ke na ne x p e di t i o usa nd s t r i c t l yc o nfide nt i ali nqui r yr e g ar d i ngJar d el e z a’ sal l e gat i o ns ,wi t h al li nt e r e s t e d pa r t i e sg i v e nt heo p po r t uni t yt ofil et he i rr e s p e c t i v ec o mme nt sa ndme mo r a nda . Iur g e dt heCo ur tt ounde r t a ket hi sa c t i o nwi t ht wot hi ng si nmi nd :fir s t ,t heCo ur t —b yv i r t ueo fi t ss upe r v i s o r ya ut ho r i t yo v e rt heJBC a ndi t se x pa nde dj ur i s d i c t i o n und e rt he1 9 87Co n s t i t ut i o n— ha st hed ut yt od e t e r mi newhe t he rg r a v ea b us eo f di s c r e t i o no c c ur r e di nt hes e l e c t i o n pr o c e s s ,par t i c ul ar l ys i nc et heJBC al l e g edl y

v i o l at e dJar d e l e z a’ sduepr o c e s sr i g ht s ;and s econd,g i v e nt hes e ns i t i v enat ur eo f t hec i r c ums t anc e snar r at e di nt hel e t t e r pe t i t i o n,a swe l last he90da yde adl i nef o r t hea ppo i nt me nto ft hene x tAs s o c i at eJus t i c e ,q ue s t i o nsr e g ar di ngt hei nt e g r i t yo f t hes e l e c t i o npr o c e s ss ho ul dbea ddr e s s e ddi r e c t l yandpr o mpt l y . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 Unde rSe c t i o n4 ( 1 ) ,Ar t i c l eVI I Io ft he1 98 7 Co ns t i t ut i o n,a nyv a c a nc yi nt he Sup r e meCo ur tmus tb efil l e dwi t hi nni ne t yda y sf r o mt heo c c ur r e nc et he r e o f . 390

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Tomymi nd ,t het i mi ng o ft hefil i ng o ft hel e t t e r p e t i t i o ng a v et heCo ur ta n o ppo r t uni t yt os wi f t l ye x e r c i s ei t ss upe r v i s o r ydut yo v e rt heJBC,a ndi mme di a t e l y de t e r mi newhe t he rv i o l a t i o nso ft heJ BC’ sr ul e sand t hea ppl i c a nt ’ sduepr o c e s s r i g ht si nt e r v e ne d.I twa smyb el i e ft ha ti na c t i o n,o ranyde l a yo nt hepa r to ft he Co ur ti n ac t i ngo nt hel e t t e r pe t i t i o n,c o ul dpo s s i bl yr e s ul ti n di s a s t r o usandf ar r a ng i ngc o ns e q ue nc e s :i tc o ul di ndi r e c t l yc ur t ai lt hePr e s i de nt ’ sappo i nt i ngpo we r , t ai ntt heJBC’ so t he r wi s epr i s t i ner e p ut at i o n,affe c tt hi sCo ur t ’ sf ut ur ec o mpo s i t i o n, a ndpr e j udi c ea no t he r wi s eq ua l i fie da ppl i c a nt . Gi v ent he s ec o ns i de r a t i o ns ,Ibe l i e v et he n,ands t i l ldono w,t hatt hel e t t e r pe t i t i o n ha dno tb e e nmo o t e db yt heJBC’ st r a ns mi t t a lo ft hes ho r tl i s to fno mi ne e st ot he Pr e s i de nt .I naddi t i o n,t hei s s ue st hatt hel e t t e r pe t i t i o n pr e s e nt e dar ec a pa bl eo f r e pe t i t i o ny e te v adi ngr e v i e w:al l e gat i o nso funf e t t e r e dandgr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o n o nt hepa r to ft heJBC a r ec a pa bl eo fb e i ngr e p e a t e de v e r yt i met heJBC s e l e c t s no mi ne e sf o ra v a c a nt j ud i c i a lp o s i t i o n.The s ei nfir mi t i e sc o ul de v a d er e v i e w be c aus eoft het i mel i mi t at i o nsf o rfil l i ngupv ac a ntj udi c i alpo s i t i o ns .No ta l lo ft he JBC’ spr o c e e di ng s ,t o o ,ar eo pe nt ot hepubl i c . Ia m fil i ngt hi sSe p ar a t eCo nc ur r i ngOp i ni o na st her e p e r c us s i o nst ha tIe a r l i e r s o u g htt op r e v e n tt hr o u g ht hea p pr o a c h Is ug g e s t e di n my Di s s e nt i ng Op i ni o n ,

appear st o hav e no wc r ys t al l i ze d,ast he c omment sand pl eadi ngs fil ed by t he pa r t i e ss ho w.Is t r o ng l ybe l i e v et hatt heCo ur ts ho ul dno wt akeac t i o ni mme di a t e l y , i fo nl yt oc o nt ai nt her e pe r c us s i o nso fi t spr e vi o usi nac t i o n. Is t r o ng l ybe l i e v e ,t o o ,ba s e do nt hec i r c ums t anc e sandr e a s o nsd i s c us s e dbe l o w,t hat CJ Se r e no mani pul at e dt he JBC proc e s s e st oe xc l ude Jar del e z a as a nomi nee.The mani pul at i on was a pur pos i ve c ampai gn t o di s c r edi tand deal Jar del ez a a mor t albl o w att heJBC l e ve lt or emo vehi m asa c ont enderatt he pr e s i de nt i all e v e lo ft heappo i nt i ngpr o c e s s . 391

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[ Ofpar t i c ul arno t ei nt hi sr e g ar di s t hi sCourt ’ sownexper i encewhe ni tf ai l e d t ov o t ef o ri t sr e c o mme nde e sf o rt hepo s i t i o nv ac a t e db yr e t i r e dAs s o c i a t eJus t i c e Ro b e r t oA.Ab a d,b e c a us eo fal e t t e rd a t e dMa y2 9 ,2 0 14f r o mt heChi e fJ us t i c e r e p r e s e nt i ngt ot heCo ur tt ha t“ s e v e r a lJus t i c e s ”r e q ue s t e dt ha tt heCo ur tdoa wa y wi t ht hev o t i ngf o rCo ur tr e c o mme nd e e s ,a spr o v i d e di nSe c t i o n1 ,Rul e8o fJ BC0 09 .Whe ns u b s e q ue nt l yc o nf r o nt e do nwhot he s eJ us t i c e swe r e ,t heChi e fJ us t i c e f a i l e dt ona mea ny o n e .Asar e s u l t ,a pp l i c a nt swhoc o ul dha v eb e e nr e c o mme nd e db y t heCo ur t( J ar de l e z a ,a mo ngt he m) ,mi s s e dt he i rc ha nc et ob eno mi ne e s . ] The Cour ts houl d nots t and i dl y by whe ni r r egul ar i t i e s oft hi s nat ur e happen,part i cul ar l ywhen t he i rr egul ar i t y wascommi t t ed by one ofi t s own.TheCour ts houl d notl i kewi s es t aymut ewhe n a pre s i de nt i alpowe r , gr ant e d unde rt he Cons t i t ut i on t hatt he Cour ts af e guar ds ,i s atr i s k of bei ng di mi ni s hed.The e s s e n c eo ft he c o ns t i t ut i o na ls e p ar a t i o no fpo we r sand c hec ksandbal anc es— s ac r edi nourdemoc r at i cs ys t em ofgo ve r nment— woul dbe di s t ur b e dwhe nunt o wa r dde v e l o p me nt sl i k et he s e , i nt e r v e n e .

I nf ai r ne s st ot heJBC,whi l ei tdi dno tappe art oha v ef ul l yr e s i s t e dt hemo v e so fi t s Cha i r p e r s o n ,i ti sac o l l e g i a lb o dyl i k et heCo ur ta ndi tmi g htn o th av ekno wnt he c r i t i c a lCo ur t s i dede v e l o pme nt smat e r i ali nr e a c hi ngmyc o nc l us i o ns .

A. TheJardel ezaPet i t i on

Dut i f ul l yr e s p o ndi ng t ot he Co ur t ’ s Re s o l ut i o n,J ar d e l e z a fil e dap e t i t i o nf o r c e r t i o r ar i andmandamus a g ai ns tCJ Se r e n o ,t heJ BC,a nd Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r y Pa q ui t oN.Oc ho a ,J r .( Se c .Oc ho a)on Jul y18,2014.Hep o s i t e dt ha tt heJ BC s e l e c t i o npr o c e s ss uffe r e df r o m pr o c e dur ali nfir mi t i e st ha tv i o l at e dhi sduepr o c e s s r i g ht sand ul t i ma t e l yl e dt ohi sno ni nc l us i o ni nt heJ BC s h o r tl i s to fno mi ne e s de s p i t et hema j o r i t yvo t e sheg ar ne r e d . 392

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J ar d e l e z afil e dt hepe t i t i o ni n pr opri a per s onao ri nhi so wnpe r s o na lb e ha l f . 4 Hes ue dt heJBC b e c a us ei ti st hebo d yt ha ta c t e do nt hes ub mi s s i o no ft hel i s to f r e c o mme n de dno mi ne e st ot hePr e s i d e nt ,a nds i ng l e do u tCJ Ser enobec aus es he “ s chemedt ohavepet i t i onerexc l udedf rom t heshortl i s t. ” 5Re s p o nd e ntOc ho a , o nt heo t he rhand,wasi mpl e ade d“ i nhi sc apac i t yast hePr e s i de nt ’ sa l t e re g o . ” 6 [ No t a bl y ,Se ni o rAs s o c i a t eJ us t i c eAnt o ni oT.Ca r p i o ,whoa ppe a r e db e f o r et heJ BC o nt hei nt e gr i t yi s s uedi s put e di nt hi sc as e ,i s pr ope r l ynota par t y a sheme r e l y “ appe a r e da sar e s o ur c ep e r s o n”a tt heJ BC’ so ra tCJ Se r eno ’ si nv i t a t i o n. ] 7 O J n ul y22, 2014,t heCo ur ta c t e do nt hepe t i t i o nb yr e q ui r i ngt her e s po nde nt sJ BC andCJ Se r e n o( whowa ss ue ds e p ar a t e l yf r o mt heJ BC)t oc o mme n twi t hi n1 0da y s , f r o m no t i c e .

Fo rs o mer e a s o n ,t hi sCourtRes ol ut i onwass er vedont hepart i esonl yonJul y 31,2014( t het e n t hda yaf t e rt heEnBancme e t i ng )i nt hec as eofCJSe r e noand t heJBC,andonAugus t1,201 4 ( t he11 t hda ya f t e rt h eEnBanc me e t i ng )i nt he c a s eo fS e c .Oc ho a . 8 Thi s ha pp e ne dd e s p i t et he Pr e s i d e nt ’ s Aug us t2 0,2 0 14 de adl i nei na ppo i nt i ngane w as s o c i at ej us t i c ei npl ac eo fr e t i r e dAs s o c i at eJus t i c e Ro b e r t oA.Ab ad .Thus , e ffe c t i v e l y ,1 9day sbe f o r et hePr e s i de nt ’ sAugus t

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4 Fr a nc i sH.Ja r de l e z a ’ sPe t i t i o nf o r Ce r t i o r ar i and Mandamus ,par .1 ,pp.12; Jar de l e z a’ sRe pl y ,p.1 . 5 Jar de l e z a’ sPe t i t i o n,par .22,p.7 . 6 I d. ,atp.2,par .5. e 7 Se JBC Co mme n to fAug us t1 1 ,2 0 14 ,p .2 ;J us t i c eCa r p i owa st he r et o“ s he d l i g hto nt hev e r yc o nfide nt i a ll e g a lme mo r a ndum t ha tc l a r i fie sa ndc o nc r e t i z e st he i nt e gr i t yo bj e c t i o nt hatt heChi e fJ us t i c er ai s e dag ai ns tt hepe t i t i o ne r …” ; s e eal s o: Mi nut e so fJ une3 0,2 01 4J BCEx e c ut i v eSe s s i o n,p .1 . 8 Re c o r dss ho wt ha tChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e nor e c e i v e dt heJ ul y22 ,2 01 4Re s o l ut i o no n J ul y31 ,20 14 ;whi l eEx e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r yOc ho ar e c e i v e dac o p yo ft heRe s o l ut i o no n Augus t1 ,2014. 393

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20,2014de adl i ne ,t hepe t i t i onwasonl yi ni t s“ c omme nt ”s t age.

393

Thi ss e e mi ng l yha r ml e s si nc i de nti spo i nt e do uta so neo ft hes e v e r a li ndi c at o r s s howi ng t hat f r o m t he ve r y be gi nni ng, t he Court — who s e ag e nda and admi ni s t r a t i v ef unc t i o ni ngt heChi e fJus t i c ec o nt r o l s— di dnotappeart obei na hur r yt opr o c e s st heJar de l e z ape t i t i o n.

A. 1. TheJar de l e z aAl l e gat i ons

Jar d el e z aal l e ge di nhi spe t i t i o nt hatt hef o l l o wi nge v ent st r a ns pi r e d,l e adi ngt ot he v i o l at i o no fhi sduepr o c e s sr i ght s . OnMa r c h2 0,2 014 ,t heJBC r e l e a s e dt hel i s to f15a ppl i c a nt s ,hi ms e l fi nc l ude d,t o t heSup r e meCo ur tp o s i t i o nv a c a t e db yJus t i c eRo b e r t oA.Ab ad .Thi swa sno tt he fir s ta ppl i c a t i o nhefil e db e f o r et heJBC. 9 On Ma y 29,2014,t ne r ai s e d any c o mme nt , he JBC i nt er vi ewed hi m.No o c o mpl ai nto ro bs e r v at i o ni nt hi spubl i ci nt e r vi e w. 10 OnJ une1 6a nd1 7 ,2 0 14 ,her e c e i v e dp ho n ec a l l sf r o mJ BCMe mb e r ,f o r me rJ us t i c e Aur o r aS.Lagman J (.Lag man) ,s p e a ki ngo nb e ha l fo ft heJBC.Shei nf o r me dhi m t ha td ur i ngt heJ BC me e t i ngo fJ une1 6,2 0 14 ,t her e s p o n de n tCJ Se r e n odi r e c t e d t ha th ema kehi ms e l fa v a i l a bl et oa pp e arb e f o r et heJ BCo nJ une3 0,2 01 4;a ndt ha t CJ Se r e no ,i nt heJ BCme e t i ngo fJ une5and16 ,2 01 4,ha dq ue s t i o ne dhi si nt e g r i t y , i nv o ki ngSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 . 1 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 9 Jar de l e z a’ sPe t i t i o n,par .910,p.3. 10 I d. ,atp .3,par .11 . 1 1 Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0pr o v i de s :

t e sr e q ui r e dwhe ni nt e g r i t yofaq ual i fie dappl i c a nti sc hal l e ng e d. Sec t i on2. Vo —I n e v e r yc a s ewhe na ni nt e g r i t yo fa na ppl i c a ntwhoi sno to t he r wi s edi s q ua l i fie df o r no mi na t i o ni sr a i s e do rc ha l l e ng e d,t hea ffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa l lt heMe mb e ro f

394

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J us t i c eLa g ma ns i g ni fic a nt l ya dd e dt ha tt heChi e fJ us t i c ewo ul di nf o r m hi mo fhe r o b j e c t i o nst ohi si nt e gr i t yatt heJune30 ,2 01 4JBCme e t i ng . 12 Be l i e v i ngt ha tt hea c t so fCJSe r e n owe r ei nv i o l a t i o no fJ BC0 0 9 R ( ul e so ft he Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ) ,Jar d e l e z aatt hatp o i nt ,fil e dhi sJune24,2014l e t t e r pe t i t i o na ddr e s s e dt ot heCo ur t ,a s ki ngt heCo ur tt odi r e c tt heJBC,a mo ngo t he r s , t oi mpl e me ntt her e l e v antp r o v i s i o nso fi t sr ul e s . OnJ une3 0,2 01 4,t hep e t i t i o ne ra ppe a r e dbe f o r et heJ BCa sdi r e c t e d .Hewa sl e dt o o n eo ft hea nt e r o o msa t1 1: 0 0a . m.By1 2 : 3 0 no o n ,l unc h wa sd e l i v e r e dt ohi m. So me t i meb e f o r e1 : 0 0p . m. ,De p a r t me n to fJ u s t i c e D ( OJ)Se c r e t a r yLe i l a M.De Li ma i nf o r me d hi m t ha tAs s o c i a t eJ us t i c eAnt o n i oT .Ca r p i oha dj us tap pe a r e d b e f o r et heJ BCa ndt e s t i fie dag a i ns thi m.Se c r e t a r yDeLi mat he na s k e di fJ ar de l e z a s t i l lwa nt e dt oc o nt i nuewi t h hi sno mi na t i o n,t owhi c ht hepe t i t i o ne rans we r e d y es . 13 J us tb e f o r e2 : 0 0p . m. ,t heJ BCs ummo ne dt hepe t i t i o ne ra nd CJ Se r e n oas k e dhi mi f hewa nt e dt ode f e ndhi ms e l f .Thepe t i t i o ne ra ns we r e dt ha th ewo ul dd e f e ndhi ms e l f i fg i v e nduepr o c e s sa spr a y edf o ri nhi sJune24,2014l e t t e r pe t i t i o n.Thepe t i t i o ne r t he nputi nt or e c o r dhi sf o r ma ls t a t e me nta nda s k e dt ha tt heJ BC de f e ri t sme e t i ng ast heSupr emeCour twoul d mee tt henextday .Headdedt hathewoul d notbe l ul l e di nt owai v i nghi sr i g ht s .The r e a f t e r ,hewa sdi s mi s s e d .Thee nt i r epr o c e dur e o nl yt o o ka ppr o x i ma t e l y10mi nut e s . 1 4

[ Co ur tr e c o r dsi ndi c a t et ha tt heOffic eo ft heCl e r ko fCo ur tr t heJune24, eceived

oret heJBC’ s 2010l e t t e r pe t i t i o ni nt heaf t e r no o no fJune25,2014,or5daysbef June30,2014meet i ng.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ t heCo unc i lmus tb eo bt ai ne df o rt hef a v o r a bl ec o ns i de r at i o no fhi sno mi na t i o n. 12 Jar de l e z a’ sPe t i t i o n,par .12,p.3. 13 I d. ,atpp.45,par .14. 14 I bi d. 395

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I twa sr f o ra s s i g nme ntt oaMe mb e r i nCha r g eo nl yo n Jul affled y1,2014oron

t he6t hdayaf t eri t sr ecei ptbyt heCourt .Ther a fflea l s ot o o kpl a c e3 0mi nut e s t ert heJune30,2014JBC b e f o r et h E e nBanc me e t i ngoft ha td ay ,i . e . ,adayaf 15 meet i ng. Thi si sano t he rofs e v e r a li ndi c a t o r so ft heCo ur t ’ sf a i nl ys ho wi ng ootdraggi ngpl

l et t er pet i t i on t hatJ ar d el e z a’ s wa sno tme a ntt ob ec o ns i d e r e do rp as s e dup o nb y t heCo ur E t nBanc b e f o r et heJ une3 0 ,2 0 14JBCme e t i ng . ] La t e rt ha ta f t e r n o o n( J une30 ,2 01 4) ,t heJBC t r a ns mi t t e das h o r tl i s to fno mi ne e s t ot heOffic eo ft hePr e s i d e nt .J ar d e l e z af o undo ut ,t hr o ug hap r e s ss t a t e me ntma de b yt heSup r e meCo u r tPub l i cI nf o r ma t i o nOffic e( t hr o u g h At t y .The o d o r eTe ) ,t ha t he ha dg a r n e r e ds uffic i e n tv o t e st ob ei nc l ud e di nt he s ho r tl i s t ,b utwa s no t i nc l ude di nt hel i s tbe c aus eofque s t i o nsr e g ar d i nghi si nt e gr i t y . 16

e r t i o r ar i J ar d e l e z as u bs e q ue nt l y fil e dt he pr e s e n tpe t i t i o nf o rc and mandamus be f o r et heCo ur t .Thepe t i t i o npr a y e dt hatt heCo ur t :( 1)de c l ar et hatChi e fJus t i c e Ma r i aLo ur d e sP.A.Se r e noa ndt heJ BC a c t e dwi t hag r a v ea b us eo fd i s c r e t i o ni n e x c l udi nghi mi nt hes ho r tl i s to fno mi ne e s ;( 2)di r e c tt heJBCt oi nc l udehi snamei n t he s h o r tl i s to fno mi ne e sf o rt he po s i t i o nt ha tf o r me rAs s o c i a t eJ us t i c e Ab ad v a c a t e d ;a nd( 3 )i s s ueat e mp o r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r de ra ga i ns tt hea ppo i nt me nto fa ne wa s s o c i at ej us t i c ep e ndi ngt hede t e r mi nat i o no ft heme r i t so ft hec a s e . Ase x pl ai ne dandpo i nt e do utabo v e ,t heCo ur tr e qui r e dt her e s po nde nt st oc o mme nt o nt hepe t i t i o ni ni t sRe s o l ut i o no fJul y22,2014. 17 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 5I nd i c a t e di nt heSumma r ya ndPr e l i mi na r yEv a l ua t i o nc i r c ul a t e df o rt heCo ur t EnBanc me e t i ngo fJ ul y1 ,2 01 4. 16 Jar de l e z a’ sPe t i t i o n,par .16,p.5. 17 Se e p ag e3 92o ft hi sSe p ar a t eOpi ni o n.

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B. Exe c ut i veSe cr e t ar yOc hoa’ sComme nt

Ther es pondentSec .Oc hoafil edhi sCommento nAugust8,2014.Sec r e t ar yOc hoa a gr e e dwi t hJ ar de l e z a ’ sc l a i mt ha the( J ar d e l e z a )s h o ul db ei nc l ude di nt hes h o r t l i s to fno mi ne e sf o rt heSupr e meCo ur tp o s i t i o no ff o r me rAs s o c i a t eJus t i c eAb ad . Ac c o r di ngt oSe c .Oc ho a,Se c t i o n2,Rul e10o fJBC009,whi c hwasus e dt oj us t i f y

Jar d e l e z a ’ se x c l us i o nf r o mt hes ho r tl i s t ,i sunc o ns t i t ut i o nalands ho ul dt husno tbe g i v e ne ffe c t . Se c .Oc ho aa r g ue dt ha tSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10o fJ BC0 09i sunc o ns t i t ut i o na lf o rt he f o l l o wi ngr e a s o ns fi : r s t ,i tv i o l at e st heJBC’ sc o l l e gi alc har a c t e r ,whi c hde c i de so n t heba s i so fama j o r i t y ,no tt heaffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa l li t sme mb er s ; 18a nd s econd,i t v i o l a t e st he due pr o c e s sc l a us e ,b e c a us ei t de p r i v e sa j udi c i a la ppl i c a nt a ny me a ni ng f ulo ppo r t uni t yt or e f ut et hec l a i msa ga i ns thi m. 1 9 Ev e na s s umi ng Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 0 9t ob ec o n s t i t ut i o n al ,Se c .Oc ho a p o i nt e do utt ha ti tt a ke se ffe c to nl ywhe nt heo b j e c t o ri sno tame mb e ro ft heJBC, f o ro n l yt he nc a nt her e q ui r e duna ni mo usv o t ebeat t a i ne d .Thus ,i ts h o ul dno tha v e b e e na ppl i e dunde rt hef a c t so ft hec a s e ,a si twa same mb e ro ft heJ BC t ha tr a i s e d t heo bj e c t i o nag ai ns tJar d el e z a. 20

C. TheJBC’ sComme nt

La t ei nt heaf t obee x ac t ,a t4: 4 9 p. m.o rpas tt he t ernoon ofAugus t1 1,2014( d i s mi s s a lt i meo fSCe mp l o y e e s ) ,t heJ BCfil e di t sCo mme ntwi t ht heCo u r t .

[ The Member i nChar ge r ecei ved hi s copy of t he JBC Comment at appr oxi mat el y 9: 30 a. m.of Augus t 12,2014 or 30 mi nut es bef or et he openi ngoft heCour tn E

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 8 Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r yPa qui t oOc ho a ’ sCo mme nt ,p p.1 2 . 19 I d. ,atp p.23. 20 I d. ,atpp.34. 397

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ss ess i on.Thi si sanot herques t i onabl eci rcums t anceast heMember Banc’ i nChargewasexpect edt opre s entt hedevel opment soft hecasebef oret he EnBanc . ] CJ Se r e n odi dno tp ar t i c i p at ei nt heCo mme n twhi c hwa s fil e donl yon be hal fof “ Res pondentJudi ci alandBarCounci l . ”

C. 1 . TheJBC Al l e gat i ons

The J BC d e f e n de di t sa c t i o n sd ur i ng t he s e l e c t i o np r o c e s s ,a nd p r e s e n t e dt he f o l l o wi ngar g ume nt s : Fi r s t ,J ar d e l e z aa v a i l e do fwr o ng r e me d i e si nc ha l l e ng i ng t he J BC’ sa c t i o ns . Ce r t i o r ar ii sdi r e c t e dt o war d sac t sofabo ar do rt r i bunale x e r c i s i ngquas i j udi c i al f unc t i o ns .The J BC do e sno te x e r c i s ej udi c i a lo rq ua s i j udi c i a lf unc t i o ns ;he nc e , c e r t i o r ar i i sa ni mp r o p e rr e me d y .Ne i t he rs ho ul dmandamus l i et oc o mpe lt heJBC’ s di s c r e t i o nar yac tt os e l e c tandr e c o mme ndno mi ne e sf o rv ac a ntj udi c i alpo s i t i o ns . 21 Second,t heJ BC g a v eJ ar d e l e z at heo p po r t uni t yt ob ehe a r d ;hewa sac c o r d e dd ue pr oc es swhens omeofi t smember si nf orme d hi mt hatt her ewer eal l egat i ons agai ns thi si nt egri t yt hathes houl d expl ai n att heJBC mee t i ngs chedul ed f orJune30,2014.I twa sJ ar de l e z awhoo p t e dno tt oa v a i lo ft hi sr i g ht ,a she i ns t e a da s k e dt ha thi sac c us e ra ndhi s / he rwi t ne s s e sfil es wo r ns t a t e me nt sf o rhi m t okno wt hea l l e g a t i o nsag a i ns th i m;g i v ehi m a de q ua t et i met op r e p a r ef o rhi s de f e ns e ;a l l o w hi mt heo p po r t uni t yt oc r o s s e x a mi net hewi t ne s s e s ;a nd t ha tt he pr o c e d ur eb edo neo nr e c o r da ndi npub l i c ,a mo ngo t he rt hi ng s . 2 2

Thi r d,t heJ BC i sno taq ua s i j udi c i a lo rj udi c i a la ge nc yo rf ac t findi ng a ge nc y . He nc e ,J ar de l e z a ’ sr e q ue s t swe r eunne c _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 1 TheJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l ’ sCo mme nt ,p p.4 7 . 22 I d. ,atp p.78. 398

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e s s a r y ;i t sme mb er sa r eno tde t e r mi ni nghi sg ui l to ri nno c e nc e ,o nl yhi sfit ne s st o be c omeanomi nee . Under Sec t i ons 3 and 4,Rul e 4 ofJBC009,c onduc t i ng a hear i ng,r ec ei vi ng t e s t i mo n yo fo p po s i t o r s ,a nd g i v i ng d ue no t i c et ot he c a nd i d at er e g a r d i ng t he he a r i ng ,a r ea l ld i s c r e t i o na r yo p t i o ns f o rt he J BC whe ni tc o nd uc t sd i s c r e e t i nv e s t i g at i o nso nc a ndi dat e s ’ c o mpe t e nc e . 23 Four t h,Sec t i on 2,Rul e 10 ofJBC009 i s appl i c abl e ev en when t he per s on q ue s t i o ni ngt hei nt e g r i t yoft hec a ndi da t ei same mb ero ft heJBC.I nt ha ts i t ua t i o n, t he obj ec t i ng JBC memberwoul d be e xc l uded f r o m vo t i ng f oror agai nstt he c a ndi dat e . 24 Las t l y,J ar de l e z ad i dno tdi v o r c ehi ms e l ff r o mt hepo s i t i o nheho l dsi ng o v e r nme nt whi l epur s ui nghi sJune2 4,2 01 4l e t t e r pe t i t i o nandt hepr e s e ntp e t i t i o n.Si nc ehe ac t ed as Sol i c i t orGener alwhen he s ued t he JBC,a go ve r nment albo dy ,he c o mmi t t e da c t sc o ns t i t ut i ngc o nfli c to fi nt e r e s t sb e t we e nhi ma ndt heg o v e r nme nt , a ndt husv i o l a t e dt heCo deo fPr o f e s s i o na lCo nduc t . 25

Si gni ficant l y ,t he Commentdi d no tat al lt ouc h on t he basi s ort he c aus e of J ar d e l e z a ’ sd i s q ua l i fic a t i o n( e x c e p tt o me nt i o ni ti n pa s s i ng ) ,b ut a s k e df o r p e r mi s s i o nt ofi l eas up pl e me ntt oi t sCo mme nt .

D. Pr oc e e di ngsaf t e rt heI ni t i alComme nt s

I nt heCo ur t ’ sde l i be r a t i o no fAug us t12 ,2 01 4,t heCo ur tg a vet headv e r s epa r t i e s t heo ppo r t uni t yt or e p l yt ogi v ehi mt heo ppo r t uni t yt oc o nt r o v e r tt hene w ma t t e r s t hatt he JBC as s er t ed i ni t sComment .The Cour tl i kewi s e gav et he JBC t he o p p o r t uni t yt ofil eaSup pl e me n t a lCo mme n t . 2 6 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 23 I d. ,atpp.810. 24 I d. ,atp p.1011 . I d. 25 ,atpp.1116. 26 Cour E t nBanc Re s o l ut i o nd at e dAug us t1 2,2 01 4.

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By t hena t ur eo ft hea dv e r s a r i a le x c ha ng e ,t heCo u r ta ut ho r i z e dt heJ BC t o ex poundont hemat t er sal r eadyal l ege di nt heComment ,nott oi nt r oducene w mat t er st hatJardel ez a,becaus eoft het i mecons t rai nt s ,coul d no l onger . cont rover t

Jar de l e z a’ sRe pl yandt heJBC Suppl e me nt alComme nt D. 1.

J ar d e l e z aa g ai n fil e dhi sRe p l yi n pr o pr i a pe r s o n a, 27i nt hemannerhefil edhi s p e t i t i o n .An e x a mi na t i o no fhi ss ub mi s s i o ns ho wst ha the s i mp l yr e s p o nd e db y a ddr e s s i ngt hepo i nt sa ddr e s s e di nt heJ BC’ sCo mme ntb ye x pl a i ni nghi ss i deo ft he ma t t e r sr a i s e d .I tr e l a t e dt ohi sv e r s i o no fe v e nt so fJ une1 6a nd 1 7 ,2 01 4;hi s J.La c o nt a c t swi t h g ma n;a ndhi sl e g a la r g ume n t sa b o u tJ BC0 0 9a nd0 1 0.Is ha l l di s c us st hede t ai l so ft hi sRe pl y ,par t i c ul ar l yt hel e g alar g ume nt s ,ati t spr o p er pl ac e sbe l o w. I n addi t i o n,Jar d e l e z a’ sRe pl ya s s e r t e dt hatt heal l e g at i o nsag ai ns thi si nt e gr i t y havebee nr ender edsuperfluousbyt hevo t i ngoft heJBC me mbe r s— f ourof whom vot edt oi ncl udehi mi nt hes hortl i s tdes pi t et heal l egat i onsagainst hi si nt e gr i t y ,andbyt hes ubmi s s i o no ft hes ho r tl i s tt ot hePr e s i de nt. 28 The JBC Suppl e me nt al Comme nt ,f or i t s par t ,c ar r i ed s e ve r al not abl e c har ac t e r i s t i c s .

s tc har ac t e r i s t i c A fir i si t sr e l i anc ef o rs uppo r to nt heMi nut e so ft heJune5,16 a nd3 0 ,2 0 14me e t i ng s ,whi c hMi nut e swe r ea t t a c he d . 2 9The s eMi nut e s ,ho we v e r , ar ef arf r o m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 7J ar de l e z a ’ sRe pl yda t e dAug us t1 2,20 14,p.1 . 28 I d. ,atpp.1112. 29 Themi nut eso ft heJBC Exe c ut i veSe s s i ononJune5,16and 30,2014wer e a t t a c he dasAnne x e sAt oC,r e s p e c t i v e l y , t ot heSupp l e me nt a lCo mme nt Re p l y . 400

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t heus ualMi nut e st hatar et a ke ni nt heme me e t i ng so fc o l l e g i alb o di e s . The ydono tappeart ohavebee nappr o ve dbyt heJBCmemb mber sandi nf ac twer eno t s i g ne de x c e p tby At t y .Ca y o s at hr o ug h ac e r t i fic a t i o n .The yl i k e wi s es u pp o r ta Suppl eme ment alComm mmentt hat ,l i ke t he Comm mment ,al l eg ed f ac t st hat wer e not v e r i fie d .Mo r e o v e r ,t he s ewe r es i g ne db yac o uns e lwhodi dno ta ppe a rt oha v efir s t ha nd kno wl e d g ea nd i nf o r ma t i o na bo utt he f a c t sa l l e g e d .I ns h o r t ,ne i t he rt he Suppl e me nt alCo mme ntno rt he Mi nut esar e ve r i fied doc ume me nt st hatc o ul d be c o ns i de r e datf ac ev al ue . Fr o mt he s epe r s pe c t i v e s ,b o t hi ns t r ume nt st hust a kewi del i b er t i e swi t ht her ul e so f pl e a di ng sande v i de nc e , i nc o n t r a s twi t ht hePe t i t i o nt ha twa sunde ro a t h.

Anot her char act eri s t i c ,al r eady ment i oned abov e,i st hat t he Suppl eme ment al Co mme nt di d no te xp o und o n what t he Co mme nt had al r e ady r ai s e do ro n a r g ume nt sr e l a t i ngt ot heRul e1 0r e s e r v a t i o n. No ts ur pr i s i ng l ya nd f o l l o wi ng t he p at t e r no fp r o c e d ur a la b us et ha tha db e e n s h o wn,t heJ BC s u pp l e me me ntt o uc he do nc o mp mp l e t e l yne w ma t t e r s ,d we l l i ngatl e ng t h

i ng ofan arbi t rat i on cas ei nvol vi ng t he wi t ha l l e g a t i o n sa bo utt he handl s ho wc a us e ”o r d e ra b o ut government ,Jardel eza’ sal l eged i mmoral i t y,anda“ . st ocktr ansact i oni mpropri et i es Al lt he s ear emat t e r st hatwe r e neve rdi sc uss ed i nt hepubl i ci nt ervi ews.Nor we r et he s ee ve n hi nt e d ati nt hema mai n Comm mme nt.J ar de l e z awa sl i k e wi s en enot gi ve ns uffi c i e ntnot i c eoft he s eobj e ct i ons,e x c e p ti n ag e ne r a lwa yt hr o ug h J. La gma no nt hema ma t t e ro ft hea r b i t r at i o nc a s e , a sdi s c us s e da tl e ng t hb e l o w. Thei mmo r a l i t ya nd s t o c kt r a ns a c t i o ni s s u e sal s odi d no ta pp e a ri nt heMi nut e s a l t ho u g ht he ys u r p r i s i ng l ya pp ea r e di nt heSup pl e me me n t a lCo mm mme n tt he ys u pp or t . I [mmo r al i t ywaso nl ys pe c ul at e dupo ni nt heMa ni l aTi me sbutwasne v e rbr o ug htt o t heat t e nt i o no ft heJBC( al t ho ug ht heSuppl e me me n-

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t alCo mm mme n tme n t i o ne dt hatAt t y . Ca y o s aal l e g e dl ybo t he r e dt ol o o katt he s eg r o unds b utdi dno tapp e a rt oha v ee v e rfil e dan yf o r malr e po r tab o utt he m) m)] . 30 TheSup pl e me me n t a lCo mm mme n t ’ sf o c uswa ss i mp l yo nt hear b i t r a t i o nc a s e . P Pe rt he Mi nut e so fJ une1 6 ,2 01 4,att hei ns t anceofCJSer eno,t heJBC p pur pos e l ydi d notputt he c hal l enge i n wri t i ng a st hi ng sc o ul db e“ me s s y , ”t o whi c ht he wt he r ei sa c hal l e ng et o my Se c r e t ar yo fJus t i c er e p o r t e dl yr e t o r t e d I “fIkno i nt e g r i t yt hatwo ul db eg r o u nd f o rmy mydi s q ual i fic at i o n,t he n Is ho ul db eg i v e na n o ppo r t uni t yt or e s p o nd. ” 3 B 1Butt hi sobs e r v at i on be gst heque s t i on:r e s pond t o whatchal l engei ft hedet ai l sarenotprovi ded? Und e rt he s ec i r c ums t a nc e s ,i twa s no ts ur p r i s i ng t ha tt he p e t i t i o ne r ,who ha d pr e vi ousl ybot her edt os ee kr edr es sf r om t heSupr eme meCour tand whos eJune24, 2 01 4l e t t e r pe t i t i o nwa st he nuna c t e dupo n,d i dno ti mme d i a t e l ya ns we ro b j e c t i o ns who s es c o p ea ndde t a i l sh edi dno tkno wa bo ut . I ns um,t hi sc har a c t e r i s t i c ,ast hefir s to nedi d,t o o kal o to fl i be r t i e sands t r e t c he d pr o c e dur a lr ul e sb e y o ndt he i rb r e a ki ngpo i nt . A t heJBC Suppl eme ment alComm mmenti st hati te mbodi ed hi rd charact eri st i coft po s i t i o nsf r o mt heChi e fJ us t i c et hats hec o ul dnol o ng e r ,on hero wn,i nt r o duc e i nt ot hi sc a s eass h eha de ffe c t i v e l ys ur r e nde r e dhe rr i g htt oc o mm mme ntb y notfil i ng onewh when and asr e qui r e d byhe rown Cour t .Tobes ur e ,he rCo ur tpo s i t i o n al o nedo e sno te nt i t l ehe rt odi s r e g ar dt hepe r i o dss e tb yt heCo ur t ,no re nt i t l ehe r t ofil ehe rpl e adi ng sathe rl e i s ur e . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

3 0 Mi nut e so fJ une3 0,2 01 4Ex e c ut i v eSe s s i o n,a tp.2 . 31 Se e Mi Mi nut e so ft heJ BC’ sJ une1 6,2 01 4Ex e c ut i v eSe s s i o n,p.3 . 402

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D. 2. Ot herI mport antConce rns

D. 2 . a. Basi cLackofSens i t i vi t yt oFai rness& DueProces s

Tot op al lt heabovecharact eri s t i csandt oJardel eza’ sgreatprej udi ce,t he JBC dwel twi t h mat t er st hat Jar de l e z ac o ul d no l o ng e rc o nt r o v e r ti nt hi sc as e wi t ho utr i s k i ng t hel aps eo ft hepr e s i de n t i alt i mel i mi to n appo i nt me nt st ot he Supr e meCo ur t . Addi t i o nal l y ,t he t e r ms o ft hi s Suppl e me nt al Co mme nt ar e ,o nt he i rf ac e s , s i ckeni ng a st he ya r enol e s st ha nda gg e r sus e di nac ha r a c t e ra s s a s s i na t i o nma de i nt heg ui s eo faSuppl e me me nt a lCo mm mme nt .Ex pr e s s l y ,i ta l l e g e dt ha tJ a r d e l e z aha d bee n“ di s l o yalt ot he c ount r y . ” 32 The Suppl eme ment alComm mmental s o l ai d bar e a s p e c t so ft he g o v e r nme nta r b i t r a t i o nc a s et ha t no r e s pons i bl e gove r nme nt offi ci al ,mores oi fshei sChi efJus t i ce,woul ds oopenl ydi sc us s. Tobes ur e ,t obec a l l e ddi s l o y a lt oo ne ’ sc o unt r yi snol a ug hi ngma t t e rt ha to nec a n e as i l ybr us has i deandf o r g e t .Att hev er yl e as t ,i ti sac a r e er ki l l e r ,no tt ome nt i o n t hepe r s o na ls t i g ma mai tl e a v e so no ne ’ spe r s o n,f a mi mi l ya nda l lpa s ta c c o mp mpl i s hme nt s . Wha te l e v a t e st hi sc ha r g et et ot hel e v e lo fma mal i c ei ei st ha ti ta ppe a r st oha v eb e e n pur pos e l yt i me d t obee m mb b od i e di nt heSup pl e me me n t a lCo mm mme nta tt hes t a geoft he

c a s ewhe ni tc o ul dnol o ng e rb er e f ut e d .Tho s ewh whoha v er e a dSha ke s p e ar e ’ sJ ul i us Ca e s arc a nr e a di l yappr e c i a t et hatJ ar d e l e z ac anno wv e r yr i g ht l ys a y E :Ett u, Chi e f Jus t i ce who s houl d be t he c hi e f guar di an of pe opl e ’ s pe r s onal r i ght s t hr ought hedueproce s scl aus e? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 32 Se e J BC Sup pl e me me nt a lCo mm mme nt Re p l yo fAug us t1 5,2 0 14 ,p ar .9 ,p .2 ;p ar .2 8, p.5 s ;e eal s o :Mi nut e so ft heJBC’ sJ une3 0,2 01 4Ex e c ut i v eSe s s i o na tp ar .3 ,p.4 . 403

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Under s t andabl yper haps,t heComm mmentdoesnotappr ec i at ef ai r nes sand due pr o c e s sande v enr e f ut e st he i rc o ns i de r at i o n;t hec as eal l e ge dl ydo e sno ti nv o l v el i f e , l i be r t yo rpr o p er t ys ot hate v e nt hec o nc e p to ff ai r ne s sc a nno tappl y . Thi sa pp r o a c hma ke so newo nd e rwha tt het e r ms“ i nt e g r i t y ”a nd“ r e p ut a t i o n”me a n t ot her e s po nde nt s ,andi ft he yr e a l i z et hatl i be li spe nal i z e db ec a us er e put at i o nand i nt e gr i t yar epr e c i o ust r e as ur e st hatp e opl ev al ue ;t he yar ei nf ac tt tt re asurest hat l i vebey ondusandarenoti nt er re dwi t hourbones. Fo rt he s er e a s o ns ,Is e enone e dt odwe l lo na nddi s c us st he s ubs t ant i veme meri t so f t hec aus e sal l e g edt os uppo r tt hedi s q ual i fic a t i o no fJar d e l e z a,andwi l lo nl yf o c uso n t hepr o c e s si nv o l v e dandt he i ri nt e r nalo rpr o c e dur a lc o nt r a di c t i o ns .Ir e f us et ot a ke pa r ti nc har a c t e ras s a s s i na t i o nb y di g ni f y i ngt heb e l a t e d l yc i t e dg r o undswi wi t ha di s c us s i o no ft he i rs ubs t ant i v eme me r i t s .

I r r e s pons i bl eAc t i ons D. 2 . b.

Id ono ts har e ,t o o ,CJ Se r e no ’ sv i e wt ha twec a nd i s c us sa ndb ej ud gme nt a la bo uta ma t t e rt ha twho l l yl i e swi t hi nEx e c ut i v edo ma ma i na ndwh who s ep ubl i cdi s c us s i o na tt hi s po i ntma ywo r kt ot hepr e j ud i c ea ndde t r i me nto ft hec o unt r y .TheJ udi c i a r yha sno b us i ne s spa s s i ngj udg me me nt ,ho we v e ri nf o r ma ma l l y ,o ni nt e r na ld e v e l o p me me nt swi t hi n t he Exe c ut i ve Depar t ment ,a c oo r di nat e and c oe qual br anc h, unl es s t he d e v e l o p me me nt sa r ef a c t si ni s s ue i n ac a s e .Ev e ni nt he l a t t e rc a s e ,we s h o ul d par t i c ul ar l ybec ar e f uli no ura c t i o nswhe nt he s eac t i o nsma ma ypo s s i bl ye nt ai lr i s kt o t henat i o nali nt e r e s t s . I ft heChi e fJ us t i c ei sa dv e nt ur o use no ug ht ot a kes uc hr i s k s ,t he nt hi sOpi ni o nand l i ke a c t i o ns f r o m i ndi v i dua lJus t i c e so ft hi s Co ur t ,wi l la tl e a s ts i g na lt ot he Ex e c ut i v ea nd t ot hena t i o nt ha tt tt heCourti t s el fasan i ns t i t ut i on doesnot s har et heChi e fJus t i c e ’ sv i e ws. 404

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I fi nde e ds h eha da na wa r e ne s so ft hes e ns i t i v i t yo ft hema ma t t e r sb r o ug htupt ot he l e v e lo ft heJBC,s h es h o ul dha v et a ke nme a s u r e sa nds a f e g ua r d st oe ns u r et he i r c o nfide nt i a l i t y ,o r ,mus tha v ea tl e a s tc o ns u l t e dwi t ht heo ffic ffic e sc o nc e r ne do nho w be s tt ohandl epo s s i bl enat i o nali nt e r e s tc o nc e r ns .I r o ni c a l l y ,ase ve nt si nt hi sc as e unf o l de d,s hee v e ni ni t i at e dt hef ul le x po s i t i o n n i nt heSuppl eme ment alComm mmentof ma t t e r st hatma ypo s s i bl yi nv o l v enat i o nali nt e r e s tr i s ks .

I ff or t hi sr eas on al one, t he whol e Suppl eme ment al Comm mment and i t s at t achment s ,i ncl udi ngt heMi Mi nut es ,s houl d bepl aced on medi aand t hi rd part yemb mbargo,ands t ri ckenoff t herecordsoft hi sc ase.

D. 3. ThePet i t i o nf o rI nt e r v e nt i o n

A t wi s tatt hi sl at es t ag eo ft hi sc as ei st he Comm l e g e dl y mment i nI nt ervent i on,al fil e dbyAt t y . Pur i fic a c i o nS.Ba r t o l o me me Be r na be( whode s c r i b e dhe r s e l fa sPr e s i de nt o ft heBul a c a nI BP Cha pt e r ) .Unf o r t una t e l y ,t hep e t i t i o nc o nt a i ne d no t hi ngne w, s i g ni fic a nto rs u bs t a nt i a l ,a nd s i mp l yp ar r o t e dt he p o s i t i o ns i nt he J BC’ so wn Co mm mme n ta n dSup pl e me me n t a lCo mm mme n t .I nt hi sl i g hta nda tt hi ss t a geoft hep r e s e n t c a s e ,de ni alo ft hepr o p o s e di nt e r v e nt i o ns ho ul dbepr o p er .

Jar de l e z a’ sRe pl yandi t sFac t ualAs pe c t s E.

a. Tosuppor thi sc ont ent i ont hatC tCJ Se r e nop ur p o s e l ye x c l ud e d hi m,J ar d e l e z a fir s t l ys t r e s s e dt h ato nJ une16a nd1 7 ,2 01 4,her e c e i v e dac a l lf r o m J.Lagma mant hat CJ Se r e nowa nt e dhi mt o“ ma kehi ms e l f‘ a v a i l a bl e ’a ndt oa pp e arb e f o r et he mo n J une ,3 02 01 4;a ndt ha tt heChi e fJ us t i c ewo ul di n v o k eSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC009t oque s t i o nhi si nt e gr i t y . J ”J.La gma ns t a t e dwi t ho utde t ai lt ha tt heo bj e c t i o ns ha dt od o wi t h hi swo r ka sSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a l ,a nd t ha tt heChi e fJ us t i c ewo ul d i nf o r m hi mo fhe ro bj e c t i o nst ohi si nt e gr i t y . 33 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 33 Jar d el e z a’ sRe pl y ,pp.12. 405

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Thi si sac r i t i c a lpo i nta ndi so net ha t ,t os o me mee x t e nt ,t heo r i g i na lJ BC Co mm mme nt ac t ual l yc onc eded. 34Atpage7oft hes ame meJBC Comm mment ,i taddst hest at eme ment t hat “ he and Jus t i c e Lagma man s poke br i e fly abo ut t he c as e and hi s ge ne r al e x pl anat i o nf o rho w hehandl e dt hes ame .Heagr e e dt oe x pl ai n hi ms e l fo nt he

mat t e r .Se c r e t ar yDeLi maal s os e par at e l yi nf o r me dt hepe t i t i o ne rabo utt hec o nt e nt o ft hei mpe ndi ngRul e1 0o b j e c t i o nag a i ns thi mo ns ai ddat e. ” No di s put e appear st hatt he JBC gav e Jus t i c e Lagman t he t ask oft al ki ng t o J a r d e l e z aa b o utt he Se c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o b j e c t i o na g a i ns thi m.The s u b mi t t e d Mi nut e sma de r e f e r e nc et ot hi sde p ut a t i o n3 5a nd l i k e wi s eg e ne r a l l y me nt i o ne d wha tt het o pi co ft heq ue r i e swo ul db e .

di d notment i on,ho Whatt heMi nut e sa ndt heJBC Co mme nt we v e r ,we r et he . e he s oft he de t a i l so fwha tJ.La g ma nr e l a y e dt oJa r d e l e z a ,i . ,t peci ficpoi nt s

i nt egri t yobj ect i onandt hei nqui ryt obemade.The r ewa sl i k e wi s enome nt i o n o fa s e par at ec o nt ac tby Sec r e t ar y De Li ma t o Jar del e z at o make her o wn no t i fic a t i o n.

ai l ed di scuss i on wasmad Ane x ami nat i o no ft heMi nut e ss ho wst hatnodet eo n J une5and1 6,2 014o ft hes p e c i fic so ft heChi e fJ us t i c e ’ so bj e c t i o n .I nf ac t ,i twas no tunt i lJ une30 whe n J.Ca r p i owa si nv i t e da sr e s o ur c es p e a k e rt ha thef ul l y e x pl ai ne dt he s ede t ai l st ot heJBCme mbe r s . Thus J , .La g ma nc o u l dno tha v eb e e ns p e c i fice no u g ha b o utt hede t a i l swhe ns h e i nv i t e dJ ar d e l e z at ot heJ une3 0,2 01 4 me e t i ng ,f o rhe ri n vi t a t i o nt os e r v ea sa s uffic i e ntno t i c eal e r t -

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ eJBC Co 34 Se mme nto fAugus t11 ,20 14,p.2;“ … JBC Re gul arMe mbe ra nd f o r me rCo u r to fAp pe a l sJ us t i c eAur o r a Sa nt i a g o La g ma nc a l l e dp e t i t i o n e ra nd i nf or medhi mt hatdur i ngt he5and16June2014mee t i ngso ft heJBC,Hon.Chi ef J us t i c eMa r i aLo ur d e sP.A.Se r e noma ni f e s t e dt ha ts hewo ul db ei n v o ki ngSe c t i o n 2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 0 9b e c a us es he b e l i e v e st ha tpe t i t i o n e rd o e sno th a v et he r e q ui r e di nt e g r i t yt ob eame mb e ro ft heSup r e meCo ur t . ” 3 5 Mi nut e so ft heJ BC’ sJ une1 6,2 01 4Ex e c ut i v eSe s s i o n,a tp.3 .

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i ngJa r d e l e z at owha thewa st of ul l yans we ra tt hec o mi ngme e t i ng . J. I fl o g i ca ndc o mmo ne x pe r i e nc ewo ul db et hes t a ndar ds ,i ti smo r eb e l i e v a bl et ha t Lag mans i mpl yge e f e r r e dt ot hef ac t ua la ndl e g albas e sf o rt heo bj e c t i o n, ne r al l yr andi nf ac tf ur t he rs a i dt hatCJ Se r e n owo ul de x pl a i nt hede t a i l st oJa r de l e z aa tt he J une3 0 ,2 0 14me e t i ng . Fr o mt hepe r s p e c t i v eo fs t r i c tl e g al i t y ,J.La gma n’ spho nec a l la nd i nv i t a t i o nt o J ar d e l e z ao nJ une16a nd1 7 ,2 01 4,c a nno tt he r e f o r es e r v easano t i c es uffic i e ntf o r d ue p r o c e s sp ur p o s e s .J a r d e l e z a wa si n v i t e dt oc o me a nd wa so n l yg e n e r a l l y i nf o r me dt hatt he r ewo ul dbeano bj e c t i o nag ai ns thi si nt e gr i t y . Asf ur t he rd i s c u s s e d b e l o w,de s p i t ehi ss u bs e q ue ntJ une24 ,2 01 4l e t t e rt ot heCo ur ta ndt oCJ Se r e no ,he wa sno ti nf o r me do ft hede t a i l so ft heo bj e c t i o na ndwa s mor ei nt hedar kr at he r t han i nf or me d and e nl i ght e ne d,when he at t e nded t he June 30,201 4 JBC me e t i ng . b . Be f o r et heJ une3 0 ,2 01 4me e t i ng ,J ar d e l e z ama denos e c r e to fhi sc o nc e r nsa nd , i nf a c t ,r e q ue s t e ds p e c i ficr e l i e f s ,a mo ngt he m t hes p e c i fic a t i o no ft heo b j e c t i o ns agai ns thi m and t hes wor ns t at ement soft he wi t nes s es .Thi swasembodi ed i n Jar d e l e z a ’ sJune24,2014l e t t e r pe t i t i o nt ot heCo ur twi t hcopi est oal lmember s oft heJBC.Thi sa s pe c to ft hec a s ei sno tdi s p ut e d.Wha tl i ei nt hes ha do wsar et he o ft hi sl e t t e r . i mpl i cat i ons Att hev e r yl e as t ,i tc anno tbede ni e dt hatatl e as tfiv eda y sbe f o r et heJune30,2014 me e t i ng, t he JBC me mbe r s we r e al r e ady awar et hat Jar del e z a was al r ea dy de ma nd i ngt ha theb eg i v e ns p e c i ficde t a i l so ft hec ha r g e s / o b j e c t i o nsag ai ns thi m. Ye t ,noc o nc e r nf r o mt heJBCme mbe r swasr ai s e dabo utt hene e df o rs pe c i ficde t ai l s a tt heJune3 0,2 01 4me e t i ng ;i twa so nl yJa r d e l e z ahi ms e l fwhob r o u ghtt hema t t e r upi nt hec o nt e x to fa s ki ngf o rade f e r me nto ft heJ une3 0,2 01 4me e t i ng .

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Appar e nt l y ,no t hi ngwasr ai s e dabo uts pe c i ficde t ai l sast hemat t e rhadbe e ns e t t l e d dur i ng t he pr e vi ous June 16,2014 mee t i ng: not hi ng woul d be i n wr i t i ng becauset ot aket hi ss t epwoul dbe“ mes sy . ”36 I n effec t ,t he JBC s ought t o under t ake a s hor t c ut :what i thad i n mi nd,as i nflue n c e db yCJ Se r e no ,wast os i mpl yi nf o r m Jar d e l e z ao ft hede t ai l so ft heSe c t i o n 2Rul e10o b j e c t i o nt ohi sa pp l i c a t i o no nJ une30 ,2 01 4,a ndr i g htt he na ndt he r e a s khi mt oans we rq ue s t i o nsr e g ar di nghi si nt e gr i t y . Wo u l das e a s o n e dl a wy e r ,no wa na pp l i c a ntt oav a c a nc yi nt heHi g he s tCo u r t— wi t hy e ar s of pri vat el aw pract i ce and acade mi ct e ac hi ng e xper i e nce s behi nd hi m,and who ac t sasco uns e lr e pre s e nt i ng t hegove r nme nti na pe ndi ngar bi t r at i on c as eofnat i onali mpor t anc e— r e pl yt oanopene nded c har g ewi t ho uts p e c i fic at i o nso fi t spar t i c ul ar s ? It hi nkno t .

J”o c . The mat t ero ft he s er vi c eo fAnnex “ nJ ar de l e z ai sano t he rdi s t ur b i ng a s pe c to ft hi sc a s e .Ja r de l e z ade ni e dt ha ther e c e i v e dac o p yo fAnne x“ J”whi c hi sa l e t t e rf r o m ac o uns e lr e l at i ngt ot hego v e r nme ntar b i t r a t i o nc a s e . My o wn r e c or dss how t hatIr e c e i ve dt he Augus t11,2014 JBC Co mme ntwi t h a t t a c h e dAnne x e s“ A”t o“ I , ”a ndas e p ar a t ee n v e l o p ec o nt a i ni ngAnne x“ J . ”Wha t happened i n my c as edoesno tnec es s ar i l y mean,ho we ve r ,t hatt he s amet hi ng ha pp e ne dt oJ ar d e l e z a . I nt hefir s tp l a c e ,wh ywa sAnne x“ J ”p l a c e di n as e p a r a t ee n v e l o p ewhe ni twa s i nt e n de da sa ni nt e g r a lp a r to ft heCo mme n t ?Wa si ts e l e c t i v e l ys e r v e do nt he p ar t i e sa n dwa sno ts e r v e do nJ a r d e l e z aa shec l a i me d ?Whe nwa st hi sAnne x ,i n f ac t ,gi ve nt ot he JBC me mbe r s— wasi to nl y att he June30 me e t i ng ast he Mi nut e si ndi c a t e ? 3 7

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 36 I bi d. 3 7 Mi nut e so ft heJ BC’ sJ une3 0,2 01 4Ex e c ut i v eSe s s i o n,p.1 .

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Ia s kt he s eq ue s t i o nsi nl i g hto ft he p at t e r no fma ni p ul a t i o nt ha tha sb e c o me a pp ar e nti nt hi sc a s e .I st hi sa no t he ro n eo ft he m?Tobes ur e ,Ia m no tr e a dyt o a c c e p tt ha tJ ar de l e z ar e c e i v e dac o p yo ft hes e pa r a t e l y e nv e l o pe dAnne x“ J”i nt he a bs e n c eo fi nde p e nd e ntpr o o ft ha tt hes e p ar a t ee nv e l o p ewa ss e pa r a t e l ys e r v e da nd r e c e i v e d . I no t he rwo r d s ,Id ono tb e l i e v et ha tp r o o fo fr e c e i p to ft heJBC Co mme ntc a ns e r v e aspr o o fo fr e c e i pto ft hes e par a t e l y e nv e l o pe dAnne x“ J. ”“ Shar p ”pr a c t i t i o ne r sha v e b e e nk no wn i nt hep as tt or e s o r tt ot heund e r ha nd e dt e c hni q ueo fs e r v i ng a nd a s k i ng f o rt he r e c e i p to fe n v e l o p e s wi t h no t hi ng i ns i d et he m.Thi sc o ul db ea var i at i on oft hi ss har pt ec hni que and c oul d havehappened undert he war ped c i r c ums t anc e so ft hi sc a s e .

F. The

JBC’ s

Suppl e me nt al

Comme nt

andi t sFact ualAs pect s

a. The Suppl e me nt al Co mme nt o pe ns wi t h an al l e ge d“ mo r e de t ai l e d and c hr o n o l o g i c a l l yar r ang e dr e s t a t e me nto fr e l e v a ntf ac t s . ” 3 8AsIha v es t a t e da bo v e ,

mo s to ft he s ear es i mp l yne w ma t t e r st ha th a v enopl a c ei na“ s u pp l e me n t ”f o rt he r e a s o nsl i ke wi s ea l r e a dys t at e dabo v e . b . Thes e c o n dp o i ntt heSup pl e me n t a lCo mme n tr a i s e di sadi s c l a i me ro nwh yi ti s di s c l o s i ng“ s e ns i t i v ena t i o na li nt e r e s tma t t e r s . ”Ther e a s o ng i v e ni s— “because t hePet i t i onerhi ms el fchal l engest heJBC t oapubl i candopendi s cus s i onof t he i nt egri t yi s s ue agai ns thi m…t he JBC,t o prot ec ti t s re put at i on,and undert hel eg alcompul s i on ofcandorbef oret hi sHonor abl eCourt ,hasno r e c o ur s eb utt odi s c l o s et hef ac t s. 39 . . ”

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 8J BC’ sSup pl e me nt a lCo mme ntRe p l y ,a tp ar .2 ,p .1 . 39 I d. ,atp .1 ,par .4.

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Thi sdi s c l ai me rwasf o l l o we db yar e c i t al , 40 at t ri but edt oCJ Ser eno,o fi nt e r nal ma t t e r si nt hea r b i t r a t i o nc a s e .Id oho p et hea t t r i b ut i o na ndt hes t a t e me nt sar e wr o nga snoChi e fJ us t i c eo re v e naJ udg eo rJ us t i c es h o ul de v e rc l a i mt hefli ms y e x c us ei mp ut e dt ohe r .Ia s k:i fi nd e e dt heJBC a ndt heChi e fJ us t i c ekne wo ft he s e ns i t i v i t yo ft he i s s u et ot he na t i o n,a r et he i rgi v e nr e a s o nss uffic i e ntf o rt he di s c l o s ur e st he yma de ? Gi v e nt ha td i s c l o s ur e sh adb e e nma de ,Ib e l i e v et ha tt hebe s tr e c o ur s ef o rt hi sCo ur t und e rt he c i r c ums t a nc e s ,i sa sIp r o p o s e da bo v e : e mbar go t he Suppl e me nt al

Comme ntand i t sAnne xe s ,i ncl udi ng t hedi s put e d Anne x“ J, ”and s t r i ke t hem off f rom t her ec ordsoft hec as e. c . Par agr aphs21and 22oft heSuppl ement alCommentar ei nt er es t i ngbec ause t he yl a yt he b as i sf o rt he a l l e g a t i o ns o fJa r d e l e z a ’ si mmo r a l i t ya nd i ns i d e r t r a di ng . 4 1 Ap pa r e n t l yr e f e r r i ng t op ar a gr a ph 2 1( t he c a l l so f J.Lagman t o J a r d e l e z a )a sb a s i s , p ar a g r a p h2 2— whi c hwa sagai nat t ri but edt oCJSer eno— s t a t e dt ha tt heJ BCmi g hta swe l ll o o ki nt ot he s ea l l e g at i o ns . Thep r o bl e mt ho ug hi s t h a J t .La g ma nd o e sno ta pp e art oha v ee v e ri nf o r me dJ ar d e l e z ao ft he s eg r o u nd sa s bas i sf o rt hei nt e gr i t yobj e c t i o nag ai ns thi m.TheMi nut e s ,t obes ur e ,dono tr e fle c t a nys u c hc o mmuni c a t i o n,muc hl e s si t sd e t a i l s . J. d. Bo t hf r om t heMi nut esandt heSuppl ement alComment ,i tappear sc l eart hat Ca r p i odi dno ta ppe a re i t he ra so p po s i t o ro ra sc o mpl a i na nt ;hewa ss i mpl yi n vi t e d b yt heJBC,t hr o ug ht heChi e fJ us t i c e ,t oe x pl a i nma t t e r st ot heCo unc i l .Nordoe s i tappe art hathee ve rs pokei nt hepre s enceofJar de l ez a and t hathewas e ve rque s t i one dbyJar de l e z aaboutt hei nt e gr i t yobj e c t i on.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I d. 40 ,atpp.24,par s .619. I d. 41 ,atp.4. 410

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Al lt he s enar r at i o nsgot os ho wt hatJar de l e z awasne v e re v e rf ul l yi nf o r me do fwhat o b j e c t i o n ha db e e nl a i da g a i ns thi m.On J une30 ,2 0 14 ,hewa ss i mp l ya s k e dt o a ns we rg e n e r a lc l a i mswi t hnos p e c i fic a t i o no fd e t a i l s— s o me t hi ngt ha tnol a wy e r

r e p r e s e nt i ngt h eg o v e r nme nti nas e ns i t i v ena t i o na li s s ueandwhoi swo r t ht het i t l e At t o r ne y ,wo ul do ffhande dl yans we r . I ns ho r t ,wha thef a c e dwa sav a g uec ha r g et ha tt heJBCma de ,att hei ni t i at i v eof CJ Ser e no,ho p i ngt ha tJ a r d e l e z awo u l db ei nt i mi d at e da ndwo u l dwi t hd r a wa s i nd i c a t e db yt heMi nut e so ft heJ une1 6me e t i ng ,o rt ha thewo ul db l i nd l yans we ra s i nd i c a t e di nt heMi nut e so ft heJ une3 0me e t i ng . Ne i t he rpo s s i b i l i t y ma t e r i a l i z e da nd s oJa r d e l e z a no ws t a ndsl i b e l e d unde rt he c har g eo fbe i ngdi s l o y alt ot hec o unt r y ,andde ni e d,qui t epo s s i bl y ,o ft hec hanc et o b ea n As s o c i a t eJ us t i c eo ft heSup r e meCo u r t— a l lb e c a us eo fmo v e sp o i nt e d l y a i me da tp r e v e nt i nghi mf r o mr e a c hi ngt hi sCo ur t ,s e e mi ng l yatal lc o s t s .

I I . Pr oc e dur alandLe galI s s ue s

A. TheCourt ’ spowerofs uper vi s i onove rt heJBC

TheJBCf unc t i o nsa sac o l l e g i a lb o dyt ha tr e c o mme nd st ot hePr e s i de ntas h o r tl i s t o fno mi ne e sf o rv ac a ntj udi c i alpo s i t i o ns ,f r o m whi c hl i s tt hePr e s i de ntt he nc ho o s e s hi sappo i nt e e .I ti sa c o n s t i t ut i o na lb o dyc r e at e d unde rt he1 98 7 Co ns t i t ut i o nt o r e p l ac et hehi g hl y po l i t i c a lpr o c e s so fj udi c i a la ppo i nt me nt si nt hepas t ,andwas me a ntt oma ket hes e l e c t i o npr o c e s smo r ec o mpe t e nc e ba s e d.I ta l s os e e kst os hi e l d t hej udi c i ar yf r o m po l i t i c a lpr e s s ur ef r o mt heo t he rb r a nc he so fg o ve r nme nt . 42

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4 2I D n eCas t r ov .JBC,G. R.No . 1 91 0 02 ,Ma r c h1 7 ,2 01 0,6 15SCRA6 66 ,7 4 3,t he Co ur tpo i nt e do ut : 411

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Topar t l yquo t et hewo r d i ngo ft heCo ns t i t ut i o n,Ar t i c l eVI I I ,Se c t i o n8( 1)and( 5) pr o v i det ha t“ A Judi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i li she r e b yc r e a t e dunde rt hes upe r v i s i o no f t he Supr eme Cour t … I tmay e xe r c i s es uc ho t her f unc t i ons and dut i esas t he Sup r e meCo ur tma ya s s i g nt oi t . ” Super vi s i on,asa l egalconcept ,ha sbe e nd e fine da st hepo we ro fo v e r s i g ht ,o r t hea ut ho r i t yt os e et ha ts u bo r di na t eo ffic e r spe r f o r mt he i rd ut i e s . 4 3I ti n v o l v e s e ns u r i ngt ha tt hel a wo rt her ul e sg o v e r ni ngt hec o n duc to fag o v e r nme ntb o dyo r s ub o r di na t eo ffic e ra r ef o l l o we d.Supe r v i s i ngo ffic i a l sme r e l ys e et oi tt ha tt her ul e s a r ef o l l o we d ,b utt he yt he ms e l v e sdono tl a yd o wnt he s er u l e s ,no rd ot he yha v et he di s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ xxxI nde e d,t hec r e a t i o no ft heJBCwaspr e c i s e l yi nt e nde dt ode po l i t i c i z et he J udi c i a r yb ydo i nga wa ywi t ht hei nt e r v e n t i o no ft heCo mmi s s i o no nAp po i nt me nt s . xxx 4 3 Mo r eo f t e nt ha n no t ,s u pe r v i s i o ni sde fine di nr e l a t i o n wi t ht he c o nc e p to f c o nt r o l .I nSo c i alJus t i c eSo c i e t yv .At i e nz a,5 6 8Phi l .6 5 8,7 1 5;5 4 5SCRA 9 2 ,1 5 2 ( 200 8) ,wede fine d“ s upe r v i s i o n”asf o l l o ws : [ Sup e r v i s i o n]me a nso v e r s e e i ngo rt hep o we ro ra ut ho r i t yo fa no ffic e rt os e et ha t s ubo r d i nat eo ffic e r spe r f o r mt he i rdut i e s .I ft hel at t e rf ai lo rne g l e c tt of ul fil lt he m, t hef o r me rma yt a kes u c ha c t i o no rs t e pa sp r e s c r i b e db yl a wt oma ket he mp e r f o r m t he i rd ut i e s .Co nt r o l ,o nt heo t he rha nd ,me a nst hepo we ro fa no ffic e rt oal t e ro r modi f y or nul l i f y or s e tas i de what a s ubor di nat e offic er ha[ s ]done i nt he pe r f o r ma nc eo fh i sdut i e sa ndt os ub s t i t ut et hej udg me nto ft hef o r me rf o rt ha to f t hel at t e r . Und e rt hi sd e fini t i o n ,t he Co u r tc a nno td i c t a t eo nt he J BC t he r e s ul t so fi t s as s i g ne dt as k,i . e . ,whot or e c o mme n do rwha ts t a nd ar d st ous et od et e r mi newhot o

r e c o mme n d.I tc a nno te v e nd i r e c tt heJ BC o nho wa ndwhe nt od oi t sd ut y ,b uti t c a n,unde ri t spo we ro fs upe r v i s i o n,di r e c tt heJBC t o“ t a kes uc ha c t i o no rs t e pa s pr e s c r i b e db yl a wt oma ket he m pe r f o r mt he i rdut i e s , ”i ft hedut i e sa r eno tb e i ng pe r f o r me db e c a us eo fJ BC’ sf a ul to ri na c t i o n,o rbe c a us eo fe x t r a ne o us f a c t o r s affe c t i ngpe r f o r manc e .No t ei nt hi sr e g ar dt hat ,c o ns t i t ut i o nal l y ,t heCo ur tc a na l s o as s i gn t he JBC o t herf unc t i ons and dut i es— a powert hatsugges t saut hor i t y b e y o ndwha ti sp ur e l ys u pe r v i s o r y . 412

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c r e t i o nt omo di f yo rr e pl a c et he m.I ft her ul e sar eno to b s e r v e d,t he yma yo r d e rt he wo r kdo neo rr e do ne ,buto nl yt oc o n f o r mt ot her ul e s . 4 4 Fo l l o wi ngt hi sde fini t i o n,t heCo ur t ’ ss upe r v i s o r yaut ho r i t yo ve rt heJBCi st os e et o i tt hatt heJBCf o l l o wsi t so wnr ul e s . Thus , whe nt he r ea r eal l e g at i o nsr e g a r d i ngt he J BC’ sno nc o mpl i a nc ewi t hi t so wnr u l e s , e s pe c i a l l ywhe ni tc o me sf r o ma na ppl i c a nt whoi si nt hep o s i t i o nt okno wo ft he s ei nfir mi t i e s ,t he nt heCo ur t ,t hr o ug hi t s s u pe r v i s o r yaut ho r i t yo v e rt heJBC,ha st hed ut yt oi nq ui r ea bo utt hema t t e ra nd e ns u r et ha tt heJ BCc o mpl i e swi t hi t so wnr u l e s . I nt hepr e s e n tc a s e ,J ar de l e z ac a met okno wo fJ BC’ sa c t i o nsa ndp e r c e i v e dt he s et o b epr o c e dur a l l yi nfir mb e c a us eh eha db e e nke p ti nt heda r kab o utt he i rd e t a i l s .He c o ns e q ue nt l yf e a r e df o rhi sc ha nc ea nd o p po r t uni t yt oi nt e l l i g e nt l ya ns we rt he c ha r g e so ro b j e c t i o nst ha tc o ul db el a i da ga i ns thi m.Thus ,hec a met ot hi sCo ur t , a s k i ng f o rt he e nf o r c e me nto ft he J BC r u l e sa s hi sr e l i e f .Hi sa l l e g a t i o no f s u pp o r t i ngf a c t sandi nv o c a t i o no ft heJ BC r u l e s ,g e ne r a l l yunde ni e di nt heJ BC’ s Co mme nt ,a r es u ffic i e ntt ot r i g g e rf ur t he ri nq ui r yf r o mt hi sCo ur ti nt ot heJ BC’ s ac t i o ns . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Ho l ev .COA,4 4 4I n n.Dado 41Phi l .5 32,5 435 44 ;3 93SCRA2 62 ,2 71( 2 00 2) ,c i t i ng Dr i l o nv .Li m,G. R.No .1 1 24 9 7 ,Aug us t4 ,1 9 94 ,3 3 6SCRA 2 0 1 ,2 1 42 1 5( 2 0 00 ) ,we ha v ef ur t he rd i s c us s e dt hed i ffe r e nc eb e t we e nc o nt r o la nds u pe r v i s i o n.“ Offic e r si n c o n t r o ll a ydo wnt her ul e si nt hepe r f o r ma nc eo ra c c o mpl i s hme nto fana c t .I ft he s e r ul e sar eno tf o l l o we d,t he yma y ,i nt he i rdi s c r e t i o n,o r d ert heac tundo neo rr e do ne b yt he i rs ub o r d i na t e so re v e nd e c i d et od oi tt he ms e l v e s .On t he o t he rha nd , s upe r v i s i o ndo e sno tc o v e rs uc ha ut ho r i t y .Supe r v i s i ngo ffic i a l sme r e l ys e et oi tt hat t her ul e sa r ef o l l o we d,b utt he yt he ms e l v e sdono tl a ydo wns u c hr u l e s ,no rd ot he y ha v et hedi s c r e t i o nt omo di f yo rr e p l ac et he m.I ft her ul e sar eno to bs e r v e d ,t he y ma yo r d e rt hewo r kd o neo rr e d o ne ,b uto nl yt oc o nf o r mt os u c hr ul e s .The yma yno t pr e s c r i b et he i ro wnma nne ro fe x e c u t i o no ft heac t .The yha v enodi s c r e t i o no nt hi s mat t e re x c e ptt os e et oi tt hatt her ul e sar ef o l l o we d. ” 413

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’ scons t i t ut i onaldut yt o det er mi negraveabus eofdi s cr et i on B.TheCourt underi t sexpandedj uri s di ct i on

Thepr e s e ntp e t i t i o nune q ui v o c a bl yi mp ut e sgr a v ea bus eo fdi s c r e t i o na mo unt i ngt o l a c ko fj ur i s d i c t i o nt ot he J BC a nd CJ Se r e n o ,a nd t hus i n v o k e st he Co u r t ’ s e x pande dj ur i s d i c t i o nunde rt he1 98 7Co ns t i t ut i o n. AsIha v eno t e di ns e v e r alc as e si nt hepas t ,t he1987 Co ns t i t ut i o n gr ant e dt he Co ur ta ne x pa nde dj ur i s d i c t i o nt ode t e r mi newhe t he rg r a v ea bus eo fd i s c r e t i o nha d b e e nc o mmi t t e db yag o v e r nme nta g e nc yo ri ns t r u me nt a l i t y ,v i z . : Sec t i on1. Thej udi c i alpowers hal lbeves t edi noneSupr emeCour tandi ns uc h l o we rc o ur t sa sma ybee s t a bl i s h e db yl a w.

Judi c i alpo we ri nc l ude st hedut yo ft hec o ur t so fj us t i c et os e t t l eac t ualc o nt r o v e r s i e s i nv o l v i ngr i g ht swhi c ha r el e g a l l yde ma nda bl eande nf o r c e a bl e ,a ndt ode t e r mi ne whe t herornott her ehasbeenagraveabus eofdi s cr e t i onamount i ngt ol ack o re x ce s sofj ur i s di c t i o no nt hep ar to fa ny b r a nc ho ri ns t r u me nt a l i t yo ft he Go v e r nme nt .

radi t i onal Unde rt he s et e r ms ,t hepr e s e ntCo ns t i t ut i o nno to nl yi nt e gr a t e st he t defini t i on of j udi ci al power et el y new , but i nt r oduc e s as we l l a compl ot heJ ud i c i a r yund e rt hel a s tp hr a s e— “ t ode t e r mi newhe t he r expandedpowert o rno tt he r eha sb e e nagraveabus eofdi s cre t i on a mo unt i ngt ol a c ko re x c e s so f j ur i s di c t i o no nt hepar to fanybr anchori ns t rume nt al i t yoft heGove rnment. ” Unde rt hi se xpande dj udi c i alpo we r ,j us t i c i abi l i t y e xpr e s s l y andt e xt ual l y depe nds onl y o nt hepr e s e nc eo rabs e nc eo fgr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o n,asd i s t i ng ui s he df r o ma s i t uat i o nwhe r et hei s s ueofc o ns t i t ut i o nalv al i di t yi sr a i s e dwi t hi na“ t r a di t i o nal l y ” j us t i c i abl ec as ewhi c hde mandst hatt her e qui r e me nto fac t ualc o nt r o v e r s ybas e do n s pe c i ficl e gal 414

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r i g ht smus te x i s t .No t abl y e ,v e ni ft her e qui r e me nt sunde rt het r adi t i o nalde fini t i o n o fj udi c i alpo we ra r eappl i e d,t he s er e q ui s i t e sa r ec o mpl i e dwi t ho nc eg r a v eab us eo f di s c r e t i o ni p s r i maf ac i e s h o wnt oha v et a ke np l a c e .Thepre s enceorabse nceof gr aveabus eofdi s cr e t i oni st hej us t i c i abl ei s s uet ober e s ol ve d. Rul e65o ft heRul e so fCo ur tr e fle c t st het r adi t i o nalj ur i s di c t i o no ft heCo ur t ,and t husr e qui r e st hatape t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar ib edi r e c t e dt o war d saj udi c i alo rqua s i j udi c i alac t .Jur i s pr ude nc eaf t e rt he1987Co ns t i t ut i o n’ se nac t me nt ,ho we v e r ,has be i twi r e p e a t e d l yi n v o ke dt heCo ur t ’ se x p and e dj ur i s d i c t i o n — al t ho ute x p r e s s l y na mi ngi t— b yc a r v i ngo ute x c e pt i o nso nt her e q ui r e me nt sf o rj us t i c i a bi l i t y .Re c e nt c a s e s ,ho we v e r ,ha v ebe e nmo r ec o gni z anto ft heCo ur t ’ se x pande dj ur i s d i c t i o n. 45

e r t i o r ar i Thus ,t hr o ug hi t spr a c t i c e s ,t heCo ur tha sal l o we dt heus eo fc asar e me dy t oi n v o ket heCo ur t ’ se x p a nd e dj ur i s d i c t i o nt od e t e r mi newhe t he rgr a v ea bus eo f d i s c r e t i o nha db e e nc o mmi t t e d .TheCo ur tha ss oac t e dr e g a r d l e s so fwhe t he rt he as s ai l e dac ti squas i j udi c i alo rno t . 46 I nt he s el i g ht s , Idono tfindt heJ BC’ sa r g ume ntt ha tJ ar d e l e z aa va i l e do ft hewr o n g r e me d yt ob ep e r s u a s i v e ;J a r d e l e z a ’ sp e t i t i o ni n v o k e dt he Co u r t ’ se x p a nd e d j ur i s di c t i o n,no ti t st r adi t i o nalj ur i s di c t i o n. Tos uc c e s s f ul l yi nv o ket heCo ur t ’ se x pande dj ur i s d i c t i o n,t hepe t i t i o ne rmus tpr i ma f ac i e s ho wt ha tt heas s a i l e dac tc o n s t i t ut e sgr a v ea bus eo fdi s c r e t i o nb ya nyb r a nc h o ri n_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 45 Be l g i c av .Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar y,G. R.No.208566,No ve mber19,2013,710SCRA I ngv .Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar y,G. 1 ; mbo R.No.204819,Apr i l8,2014,721SCRA 146; Ar aul l ov .Aqui noI I I ,G. R.No . 2 09 28 7 ,J ul y1 ,2 01 4,7 28SCRA1 . 46 Gut i e r r e zv .The Ho us eo fRe pr e s e nt a t i v e s Co mmi t t e eo n Jus t i c e,G. R.No . 193459,Febr uary15,2011,643SCRA198. 415

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s t r ument al i t y of gov er nment . 47 I n my vi e w, Jar del ez a c ompl i ed wi t h t hi s r e q ui r e me ntwi t h hi sna r r a t i o no ft hef a c t st h att r a ns p i r e ddur i ngt hes e l e c t i o n pr o c e s sv i s àv i st heJBC Rul e so fPr o c e d ur e ,whi c ha l l e g a t i o n st heJBC d i d no t e s s e nt i al l yc o nt r adi c t . No t a bl y ,J ar d e l e z aha sno tb e e nl uk e wa r mi na s s e r t i nghi sr i g htt oduepr o c e s s ;he ha sbe e nv e r yc o ns i s t e nti npus h i ngf o rt hei mpl e me nt a t i o no ft heJBC r u l e si nhi s c a s e .Hedi dt hi si nhi sJune24,2014l e t t e r pe t i t i o nt ot h i sCo ur t .Her e pe at e dt hi s

i nt hep o s i t i o nhet o o kandhi ss t a t e me ntb e f o r et heJ BC o nJ une3 0,2 01 4.Heha s r e i t e r at e dt he s epo s i t i o nsi nhi spr e s e ntpe t i t i o n. I ns um,t heCour te xe r c i s e st wo poi nt sofe nt r yi n as s umi ng j ur i s di c t i on o ve rt hepr e s e ntpe t i t i on. Thefirs ti si t ss upervi si on overt heJBC, whi l et he s econd i st heexerci s eofi t sexpanded j udi ci alpower. Bot h oft hes epower s arecons t i t ut i onali nnat ure.

C. TheVi ol at i onofJardel eza’ sri ghtt odueprocess

I ni t sCo mme nt ,t heJ BC e mpha s i z e dt ha tunde ri t sr ul e s ,i th asf ul ld i s c r e t i o nt o c o nduc ta di s c r e e ti nv e s t i g at i o no nt he b ac kg r o und o fj ud i c i a lappl i c a nt s .Thi s di s c r e t i o ni nc l ude s ,b yi t sa c c o unt ,t heaut ho r i t yt ode t e r mi newhe t he rt hehe ar i ng o fo ppo s i t o r s ’ t e s t i mo ni e sa ndt hes ub mi s s i o nb ya ppl i c a nt so fwr i t t e nc o mme nt so n t heo ppo s i t i o nt ot he m,ar ene c e s s a r y . TheJBC downpl aye dt hes er equi r ement s— whos eabse nc eJar del ez ac l ai mst obe v i o l at i v eo fhi sr i ght s— andno t e dt hati ti sno taquas i j udi c i alno raj udi c i albo dy c o nc e r ne dwi t ht hea ppl i c a nt ’ sgui l to ri nno c e nc e . 4 8I na nyc a s e ,t heJ BC c l a i me d t ha ti tg a v eJa r d e l e z at heo pp o r t uni t yt ob ehe a r do nJ une30 , _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 47 Se eJ.Br i o n’ sSe p ar a t eOp i ni o no n Ar aul l ov .Aqui noI I I s , upr a no t e4 5a tp . 249. 48 JBCCo mment ,atpp.910. 416

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2 0 14 b uthe r e f us e dt hi so p p o r t uni t ya s he i ns t e a di ns i s t e do n hi sc l a i me d pr o c e dur a lr i g ht s . Undert hes econfli ct i ng cl ai ms ,t hecas ebef or eusl ar gel ybec omesa due pr oc e s smat t e r :i sJar de l e z ae nt i t l e dt oduepr oce s sand,i fs o,washede ni e d hi sr i ght s ?

C. 1 . r P oc e dur alduepr oc e s sappl i e st ot heJBC’ sgove r nme nt alac t i on of e xc l udi ngJar de l e z af r om t hes hor tl i s tofnomi ne e s

Ase ar l i e rdi s c us s e d,t heJBCi sano v e lc r e at i o nunde rt he1987Co ns t i t ut i o n,whi c h r e p l a c e dt hec o nfir ma t i o npr o c e s st ha tme mb e r so ft hej udi c i a r ypr e v i o us l yha dt o under go af t erappoi nt ment .The 1987 Cons t i t ut i on gav et he JBC t he t as k of s e l e c t i nga nds u bmi t t i ngas h o r tl i s to fno mi ne e s( c o mpo s e do fa tl e a s tt hr e eme n a nd / o rwo me no fp r o v e nc o mp e t e nc e ,i nd e pe nd e nc e ,p r o b i t ya nd i nt e g r i t y )f r o m whe r et hePr e s i de ntc a nc ho o s et hej udg eo rj us t i c ehewi l la ppo i nt . Butu nl i k eo t he rc o ns t i t ut i o na lb o di e swho s ef unc t i o nsha v eb e e ne nume r a t e db y t heCo ns t i t ut i o n,t heCo ns t i t ut i o ndi dno tl a ydo wni ne x ac tt e r mst hepr o c e s st he JBC s hal lf o l l o wi nde t e r mi ni ngappl i c a nt s ’ q ual i fic a t i o ns .I nt hi ss e ns e ,t heJBC i s s uig e ne r i s ;t he pr o c e s si ts hal lf o l l o wi se nt i r e l yl e f tf o ri t s de t e r mi nat i o n— e s s e nt i al l yagr a nto fqua s i l e g i s l at i v epo we r .Thi sr ul emaki ngpo we ri sa tt hes a me t i mepl e nar y ,s ub j e c to nl yt ot hes upe r v i s o r ya ut ho r i t yoft heSupr e meCo ur t ,t ot he c o ns t i t ut i o nalpr o v i s i o nsr e c o g ni z i ngt hef undame nt alr i g ht so fi ndi v i dual s ,andt o hi g he rc o ns t i t ut i o na lp r i nc i pl e ss u c ha sc he c ksandb al a nc e si ng o v e r nme nt ,a mo ng o t he r s . I no t he rwo r ds ,t heuni q ue ne s sa ndno v e l t yo ft heJ BC’ ss e l e c t i o n pr o c e s sg i v ei t ampl ebutno tunbr i dl e dl i c e ns et oac ti npe r f o r mi ngi t sdut i e s I . tc annotc onduct

i t s pr oce edi ngs i n vi ol at i on of i ndi vi dual f undament al r i ght s or ot her pr ovi s i onsoft heCons t i t ut i on. 417

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Fo rt hi sr e as o n,Ic a nno ta gr e ewi t ht heJ BC’ sc o nt e nt i o nt ha tt hei nv e s t i g at i v e na t u r eo ft hes e l e c t i o npr o c e s sa ut o ma t i c a l l yme a nst ha tt heduepr o c e s sr i g ht so f a ppl i c a nt sc a nno tb ei nv o ke da ga i ns ti t .Asa bodyve s t e d wi t h gove r nme nt al f unc t i ons ,i ti nt e r ac t swi t h,andi t sac t i onsaffe c t ,i ndi vi dual swhos er i ght s mus tbecons i der ed. To d e t e r mi ne whe t he rt he s ei nt e r a c t i o nss h o ul di n v o l v ep r o c e d ur a ld ue p r o c e s s r i g ht s ,t heUni t e dSt a t e sSup r e meCo ur t( who s eBi l lo fRi g ht sr u l i ng sweus ea s no nb i ndi nggui de s )us et heba l a nc i ngo fi nt e r e s t sa ppr o a c hde v e l o pe di n Mat he wsv . El r i dg e 49asf o l l o ws : Duepr o c e s s ,unl i k es o mel e g a lr ul e s ,i sno tat e c hni c a lc o nc e p t i o n wi t h a fix e d c o nt e ntunr e l a t e dt ot i me ,pl a c eandc i r c ums t a nc e s .Duepr o c e s si sfle x i b l eandc a l l s f o rs uc hpr o c e dur a lpr o t e c t i o nsast h epa r t i c u l a rs i t ua t i o nde ma nds A . c c or di ngl y , r e s ol ut i on of t he i s s ue whe t he r t he admi ni s t r at i ve pro c e dur e s ar e cons t i t ut i onal l ys uffici ent r equi r es anal y s i s of t he gove rnment al and pr i v at ei nt e r e s t st hatar eaffe c t e d.Mo r epr e c i s e l y ,i de nt i fic a t i o no ft hes pe c i fic di c t at e so fduepr o c e s sg ene r a l l yr e q ui r e sc o ns i de r a t i o no ft hr e edi s t i nc tf ac t o r s : Fi r s t ,t hepr i vat ei nt e r e s tt hatwi l lbeaffe c t e dbyt heoffici alac t i on;s e c ond, t heri s kofaner roneousdepri vat i onofs uchi nt er es tt hrough t heproce dure s used,a nd t he p r o b a bl ev a l ue ,i fan y ,o fad di t i o na lo rs u bs t i t ut ep r o c e d ur a l s af eg uar ds ; and final l y ,t he gove r nme nt ’ si nt e r e s t ,i nc l udi ng t he f unc t i o n i nv o l v e da ndt hefis c alanda dmi ni s t r at i v ebur de nst ha tt headdi t i o nalo rs ub s t i t ut e pr o c e dur a lr e q ui r e me ntwo ul de nt ai lxxx. 5 0

Thi st e s t ,a pp l i e dt ot hea c c us a t i o nso fa J BC me mb e rag a i ns tt hei nt e g r i t yo f J ar d e l e z a ,s h o wst ha tpr o c e d ur a ld uep r o c e s ss h o ul dha v eb e e nma dea v ai l a bl e . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4 94 24U. S.3 19( 1 97 6) ;e mp ha s i so ur s . 50 I d. 418

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Thep r i v at ei nt e r e s taffe c t e dbyt heJ BC’ sa c t i o nsi nv o l v e Jar de l e z a’ si nc l us i on i nt heshortl i s tofnomi neesa ndhi so p po r t uni t yt ob e c o mep ar to ft hi sCo ur t . Tha tJa r d e l e z a ’ si nc l us i o ni nt hel i s tg i v e shi m a me r eo p po r t uni t yt ob e c o mea Supr eme Cour t Jus t i c e doe s no t mi ni mi z et hi si nt er es t ,as t he s urr oundi ng c i r c ums t a nc e ss h o wt ha thewa sas t r o ngc o nt e nd e rf o ra pp o i nt me nt :d e s p i t et he ac c us at i o nsag ai ns thi m,Jar d el e z as t i l lg ai ne dt hef o urv o t e sne c e s s ar yf o ri nc l us i o n i nt hes ho r tl i s t .Fur t he r ,t heCo mme nto ft heEx e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r y ,apar t yt ot hi s t e re g oo c a s ea st heal ft hePr e s i de nt ,pr a y e dt hatJar d el e z abei nc l ude di nt hel i s t . Mos ti mpor t ant l y ,t he JBC’ s ac t i ons mas s i ve l y ,but ne gat i ve l y ,affe ct e d Jar de l e z a’ sr e put at i onasal awy e r ,asapr i v at ei ndi vi dualandasac i t i z e n. I nv o l v e dhe r ei sar e p ut a t i o nb ui l tupo v e rt heye a r sa sa no ut s t a ndi ngs t ude nt ,a p r e e mi ne ntl a wp r a c t i t i o ne r ,a ndahi g hr a nki ngg o v e r nme nto ffic i a lno wo ffic i a l l y r e p r e s e nt i ngnol e s st ha nt heGo v e r n me nt .J ar de l e z a ’ sno ni nc l us i o ni nt hel i s t— d e s p i t eb e i ngc o ns i d e r e db yma nya sas t r o ngc o nt e nd e r ,t a ke nt o g e t he rwi t ht he s t at ementf r om t he Court ’ sPubl i cI nf or mat i on Offic e announc ementt hatt her e s ho ul dha v ebe e nfiv eno mi ne e s , ha di tno tbe e nf o ra ni nv o c a t i o no fRul e1 0,Se c t i o n 2o fJ BC0 09— c a nno tbuts i g naldo ub t sa bo utJ ar d e l e z a ’ si nt e gr i t y . ThatJa r de l e z a wa st hee x c l ud e dno mi ne eha db e e nc o n fir me db ys ub s e q ue n tj ud i c i a lp r o c e e d i ng s

b e f o r et hi sCo ur t ,t ha tha sb e e nt hes u bj e c to fme d i aa t t e nt i o nt hr o ug hv a r i o us ar t i c l e ss pe c ul at i ngo nhi si nt e gr i t y . Thus ,t heJBC’ sf ai l ur et oappl ypr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s sha spr e j udi c e dJ ar de l e z a ’ s pr i v at ei nt e r e s t :hewase x c l ude df r o mt hes ho r tl i s to fno mi ne e s ,t ot hepr e j udi c eo f hi sr e put at i o nandde s pi t et her e q ui r e dma j o r i t yv o t e sheg ar ne r e d.Co nc e i v abl y ,t he a c c us a t i o na g ai ns thi m— i fl e f tunr e s o l v e d— wo ul da l s oa ffe c thi sc o nt i nue ds t a y i n hi sp o s ta s So l i c i t o rGe ne r a ls i nc et he me d i ac o nt i nue st os p e c u l a t eo nt he ma t t e r .Fur t he ri na c t i o nf r o mt hi sCo ur two ul df ur t he rt a i nt 419

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J ar d e l e z a ’ sr e put a t i o n,g i v e nt heal l e g at i o nsa l r e a dyma deatt heJBC a ndi nt he s e pr o c e e di ng s . Aspo i nt e do uti nt hePr e f at o r ySt at e me nt ,manyo t he ri nt e r e s t sar eaffe c t e db yt he ac t i ons oft he JBC .An e r r one ous appl i c at i on oft he JBC s e l e c t i on r ul e s i ndi r e c t l yl i mi t st hePr e s i de nt ’ sappo i nt me ntc ho i c e sandt husr e s t r i c t st he Pr e s i de nt ’ sappoi nt i ng aut hor i t y.An e r r o ne o usap pl i c a t i o nc a nl i ke wi s eaffe c t t h ecomposi t i onoft hi sCourt and,unde rt hef ac t so ft hi sc a s e ,po s s i bl yt hev al ue s t hi si ns t i t ut i o ns t andsf o r . The JBC i t s el fbenefit s by i mpl ement i ng pr oc edurals af eguar ds,s uch as t he i nt e r pr e t at i o no fi t sr ul e st oc o ns c i o us l yi mpl e me ntt her udi me nt so fpr o c e dur a ldue pr o c e s s ,o ra tt heve r yl e a s ti nt hepr e s e ntc a s e ,b yg i v i ngJ ar de l e z aame a ni ng f ul o p po r t uni t yt ob ehe a r da nd a dd r e s st hea c c us a t i o nsag a i ns thi m.TheJ ud i c i a r y unde rwho s eumb r e l l at heJ BCe x i s t sl i ke wi s eb e ne fit s .Over al l ,t hes es af eguards i ncre as et rans pare ncyand cre di bi l i t yoft hese l ect i on proce s sand produce gr e at e rbe l i e fi nt hei nde pe nde nc eoft hej udi c i ar yasani ns t i t ut i on.

No tt ob eo v e r l o o k e di ni mp l e me nt i ngs a f e g ua r d sa r et heb ur d e nst ha tt heJ BCmus t und e r t a keandt ha tp r o c e d ur a ld uepr o c e s sma ye nt a i l .Al lt he s emus tb ewe i g he d a ga i ns tt heJ BC’ sb e ne fit sa ndt h epr i v at ea ndo t he ri nt e r e s t sa ffe c t e d. TheJBC,t obes ur e , o pe r at e sunde rc o ns t r a i nt sunde ri t sd ut yt os ub mi tas ho r tl i s t o fno mi ne e s :t heCo ns t i t ut i o nr e q ui r e st hePr e s i de ntt oappo i ntwi t hi n9 0da y sf r o m o c c ur r e nc eo ft hev ac a nc yandhec a nno tf ul fil lt hi sdut yunl e s sh er e c e i v e st heJBC s h o r tl i s t .TheJBC,t o o ,c a nno tha pha z ar dl yac ta ndmus tt ho r o ug hl ye x ami nei t s no mi ne e st oe ns u r et ha tt he ypo s s e s st her e q ui r e dq ua l i fic a t i o nsf o rme mb e r s hi pi n t hej udi c i ar y . Pr o v i d i nga na pp l i c a ntwhoha sp as s e dt hei ni t i a ls c r e e n i ng sandwhoha si nf a c t s e c ur e ds uffic i e n tv o t e st ob e no mi na t e d ,wi t ht he o p p o r t uni t yt o me a ni ng f ul l y de f e ndhi ms e l f 420

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f r o ma c c us a t i o nsa g ai ns thi si nt e g r i t y , wo ul dno tha v ebe e nt o omuc ho fab ur de no n t he J BC s uffic i e n tt oa d v e r s e l ya ffe c ti t sa c t i o n s wi t hi nt he r e q u i r e d9 0 d a y a pp o i nt me ntp e r i o d . Ba s e do nt hef ac t so ft hec a s e ,t hede adl i net ot r a ns mi tt hes ho r tl i s ti sar e a s o nabl e t i mebe f o r et hePr e s i d e nt ’ so wnd e ad l i neo fAug us t2 0,2 01 4.Ev e na s s umi ngt ha t t he a c c us a t i o na g ai ns tJ a r d e l e z a ma t e r i a l i z e do nl ys o me t i me a f t e rt he p ub l i c i nt e r v i e w( o ro nJ une 5 ,2 0 1 4a tt he l a t e s tund e rt he f a c t so ft he s u b mi t t e d Mi nut e s ) ,t heJ BC ha dmo r et ha namo n t ht oi nf o r mJ a r d e l e z ao ft hea c c us a t i o n s a g a i ns thi m a nd t oc o n f r o n thi m a b o uti tu nd e rdue p r o c e s ss a f e g u ar d s .Thi s , unf o r t unat e l y ,wasno tdo neal t ho ug ht hi sc o ur s eofac t i o ni sf ul l yi nl i newi t ht he J BC’ si nt e r e s tt os ub mi tpr o p e r l yv e t t e da nd q ua l i fie d no mi ne e s ,a nd p r o mo t e t r a ns par e nc yandac c o unt abi l i t yi nt hes e l e c t i o npr o c e s s .

C. 2 .r P oc e dur alduepr oc e s sasappl i e di nt hec as er e qui r e sf ai r ne s s

Ho wc o u l da nds ho u l dt heJ BC ha v eme tt her e q u i r e me n to fp r o c e d ur a ld uep r o c e s s i nt hepr e s e ntc a s e ? Pr o c e d ur a ld ue p r o c e s si s a fle x i b l ec o nc e p t ,a nd t he r e q ui r e ds a f e g ua r d sa nd pr oc edur est o ens urei tmay c hange bas ed on t he nat ureoft he c as e and t he at t e ndantf ac t s .Butatt hehe ar to fpr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s si s f ai r ne s s ,a se mb o di e d i ni t smo s tb as i cr e q ui r e me nt s :t heme ani ngf ulopport uni t yt obeheard( audi al t e r am par t e m) by an i mpar t i al dec i s i onmaker ( ne mo j ude xi n par t e sua) . 51 Due pr oc es s , as i t or i gi nat ed f r om Engl and, embodi ed t hes et wo i nt e r l o c ki ng p r i nc i pl e s , whi c h ul t i ma t e l y p r o hi b i t s p ar t i a l i t y a nd f o s t e r s i mpar t i al i t y . Ast heJBC s e l e c t i o npr o c e s si sa s uig e ne r i s pr o c e e di ng ,noe xi s t i ngj ur i s pr ude nt i al s t a nda r dc a nd e fini t i v e l ybeus e das _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 1 Se e :Co nc ur r i ngOpi ni o n J , .Br i o n,i nPe r e z ,e tal .v .Phi l .Te l e g r aphand Te l e p ho n eCo. ,G. R.No .1 52 04 8,Apr i l7 , 2 00 9,5 84SCRA1 10 . 421

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j udi c i alpr e c e de ntf o rt heduepr o c e s sr e qui r e di nt hes e l e c t i o npr o c e s s .But ,att he v e r yl e a s t ,t hemo s tr ud i me nt a r ya s p e c to fp r o c e d ur a ld uep r o c e s ss h o ul da pp l y : t he r es ho ul db eme ani ng f ulo ppo r t uni t yt opr e s e nto ne ’ sc a s eandt hec o n s i de r a t i o n mus tb ema deb ya ni mp ar t i a lj ud g e .

Unf o r t una t e l y ,ne i t he ro ft he s eas p e c t sha db e e no b s e r v e di nt hepr e s e n tc a s e .On t hec o nt r a r y ,wha tapp e ar sf r o mt her e c o r dso n ac o l l e c t i v er e a di ngo fs e e mi ng l y di s par a t ei nc i de nt s ,i sade t e r mi ne de ffo r tt odi s c r e di tJar de l e z a’ si nt e gr i t ywi t ho ut g i v i nghi mt hebe ne fito fi mpa r t i a lc o n s i de r a t i o n.

J de l e z awasnotgi ve name ani ngf uloppor t uni t yt obehe ar d C. 3 . ar

Theo ppo r t uni t yt obehe ar d,i no r d e rt ob et r ul yme a ni ng f ul ,mus ti nt hefir s tpl a c e i nv o l v edueno t i fic a t i o no fwhatt hec har g eo robj e c t i o ni s .Thec har g eo robj e c t i o ni s t h ere ckoni ngpoi nt f r o m whe r et hepa r t yt ob ehe a r dwi l lb as eh i so wnpo s i t i o n. I nt hepr e s e ntc a s e ,t hi sr e c ko ni ngpo i nti sno whe r et obef o undast heno t i fic a t i o n,i f J.La t he phone c al l s by g ma nc a nb es oc ha r a c t e r i z e d ,wa se ff e c t i v e l yo n l ya s ummo n st oahe a r i ngwi t hwhi c hJ a r d e l e z ac o mp l i e d .AsIp oi nt e do u ta b o v e , J. La gma n,whopho ne dJ ar d e l e z a ,c o ul d no ti nf a c tf ul l ys t a t et hee x a c to b j e c t i o n b e c a us es h ewa sa l s oo nl yf ul l yb r i e f e da bo uti to nJ une3 0,2 01 4,whe n J.Car p i o c a met oe x p l a i n.

arChamberi Bo t her edbywhatwashappeni ngandf ear i nga St nqui r y( t obo r r o w an I nqui r e re di t o r i ala l l us i o n) ,J ar de l e z ac a met ot hi sCo ur ta ndas k e df o rhe l p. Po i nt e d l yhea s k e di n hi sJ une2 4,2 01 0l e t t e r :whatexact l yi st heobj ect i on about ? I nmyv i e w,i ti sno te no ug ht os a yt hati ti sa ni nt e gr i t yobj e c t i o nands i mpl ypo i nt t ot hepo r t i o no ft heJBC r ul e so ni nt e gr i t yo b j e c t i o ns .Ev e nag e ne r a li de ao fwha t t hema t t e rwo ul dno tb ee no ug hunde rt hef a c t so ft hep r e s e ntc a s ewhe r eJ ar de l e z a i st heSo l i c i t o rGe ne r aldi r e c t l yac t i ngo nanar b i 422

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t r a t i o nc a s et hati ss t i l lpe ndi ng .Re s po ndi ngt ouns pe c i fie dc har g e sc o ul do nl yope n up a l o to ft hi ng s wi t hi nt he l i mi t a t i o ns o fl a wy e r c l i e ntr e l a t i o ns h i pa nd t he p e nd e nc yo ft hec a s e .Thema t t e rb e c o me smo r ec o mp l i c a t e di ft hec a s ei nd e e d i nv o l v e snat i o nals e c ur i t yo rnat i o nali nt e r e s tc o ns i de r a t i o ns .Ov e r al l ,whato ne c o u l do rwo ul ds a y , ha dt ob ec a r e f ul l ywe i g he da ndc o n s i de r e d . I nt hec o n s i de r a t i o nso ft hepa r t i e s ’s ub mi s s i o ns ,Ie x ami ne da l lt heg i v e nf ac t s , a l t ho ug hIa l s op o s i t e dt ha tt heSup pl e me nt a lCo mme nts h o ul db es t r i c k e nf r o mt he r e c o r dso ft hec a s e .Bute v e ni fIwe r et of ul l yc o ns i de rt heSup pl e me nt a lCo mme nt , Iwoul ds t i l lhavet hes amec onc l us i on,ev en made s t r ongeri n my mi nd by t he s e e mi ng l y di s p ar a t ei nc i de nt st ha tc o l l e c t i v e l y po i ntt oa c o n c e r t e d and f o c u s e d dr i v et oe x c l udeJ ar de l e z af r o m t he no mi na t i o nl i s t . I nde e df r om t he s e atof powe r and c ont r ol ,one may mani pul at ee ve nt s wi t hf ac i l i t ys ot hatt he movi nghand r e mai nsuns e e n.Buto v e rt i meandwhe nt hedo t sa r ei ne v i t a bl y c o nne c t e dt oo neano t he r ,t hepa t t e r nwi l ls h o w,a st ha tp at t e r nha db e e ns h o wni n t hee xami nat i onmadeabo ve . To poi ntt he obvi ous ones , fir s t ,t he o b j e c t i o n wa s no tma de a tt he e a r l i e s t o ppo r t uni t yt og i v et heJ BC,a sab o dy ,f ul lc o n s i de r a t i o no ft heo b j e c t i o n.I twas r ai s edatt hel as tmoment whe nt hes ho r tl i s twa sal r e a dybe i ngc o ns i de r e d ,us i ng apr o v i s i o no ft heJ BCr ul e st hati sb e i ngi nv o ke df o rt hefir s tt i me . Second,i twa sa pp ar e nt l yr a i s e da f t e ra hi d de nc a mp ai g nt oe x c l ud eJ ar d e l e z a mus tha v ef a i l e datt heJ BC,i . e . ,a f t e ri tb e c a meo bv i o ust ha tJ ar d e l e z awo ul dg e t t her e q ui r e dv o t e sunl e s sa no v e r to b j e c t i o n wa sma de .No t ei nt hi sr e g a r dt ha t e ve nt heSupr e meCour tappe ar e dt ohavebe e n mani pul at e d whe ni twas r e nt l y ,J ar d e l e z awo ul d notgi vent hec hancet ovot ef ori t sre commendee s.Appa ha v ema de ,i fno tt o p pe d ,t hel i s to fCo ur tr e c o mme nd e e ss i nc et heMe mb e r so ft he Co ur th a v es e e nhi mi na c t i o nd ur i ngt heo r a la r g u me nt s ,ha v er e a dhi sp l e a di ng s , andc o l l e c t i v e l yha vea 423

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v e r yhi g hr e s pe c tf o rt heSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a l ’ sha ndl i ngo ft heRe pr o d uc t i v eHe a l t h, t he PDAF and t he DAP c as es ,wher e he c onduc t ed a ve r yc r edi t abl e( al t hough l o s i ng )pr e s e nt at i o no ft hego v e r nme nt ’ sc a s e . Thi r d,t heJBC obvi ousl yand ev en byadmi s s i on,s hi edawayf r om any wr i t t en s pe c i fic a t i o no ft hegr o undsf o ro bj e c t i o n,o nl yf o rCJSer enot oc omeupwi t h,no t o nl yo ne ,b utt hr e eg r o undst oc l i nc ht hee x c l us i o ns hewant e d. No t et hata se ar l yasJ une5,2 014s heal r e a dye x pr e s s e dt hei nt e ntt ous eaSe c t i o n 2 ,Rul e1 0o b j e c t i o n— afir s ti nt hehi s t o r yo ft heJ BC.No t hi ngwa sdo neho we v e r t of ul l ys p ec i f ywhatt heob j e c t i o nswe r e ,o rt opr o v i def o rs af e g uar d si ft hegr o und i nde e ds ho ul dbehi g hl yc o nfide nt i a l . Ve r ye as i l y ,t heno t i fic at i o nc o ul dha v ebe e nac o nfide nt i albutwr i t t e no ne ,s har e d o nl y among t he JBC me mbe r sand Jar del e z a.The o ppor t uni t yt o do t hi s was pr e s e ntupt ot heme e t i ngo fJ une16 ,2 01 4,b uts t i l lt heJBC,a ppa r e nt l ywi t ht he g ui da nc eo fCJSe r e no ,s o u ghtt hev e r b alr o ut e .Wh yt het e l e p ho nec a l l sc o u l dno t have s er ve d as an effec t i ve not i c e has bee n di s c uss ed abov e and nee d notbe r e p e at e dhe r e . Four t h,mat t er sc ame t o a head when Jar del ez a,i nst ead ofbei ng c o wed and i nt i mi da t e di nt oi na c t i o no rs ur r e nd e r ,c ho s et o me e tt he s i t ua t i o n he a do nb y wr i t i ngt heSupr e meCo ur thi sJ une2 4,2 01 4l e t t e r pe t i t i o n. Re c e i p to ft hel e t t e r pe t i t i o nb yt heCo ur t( ands o o naf t e r ,b yt heJus t i c e s )c a meo n J une2 5,2 01 4.Ye ts ur p r i s i ng l y ,t hi swa sne v e ra c t e dupo n,a ndwa sno te v e nr a ffle d t oaMe mb e r i nCha r g eu nt i l3 0mi nut e sb e f o r e EnBanc t i mead a ya f t e rt heJ une 30,2014JBCmee t i ng. Thi st y peo fd e l a y e da c t i o n,t omymi nd ,s h o we dt hei nt e ntt oma ni p ul a t e ,a sa n e a r l yr a fflec o ul dha v epr e c i p i t a t e da nur g e ntr e c o mme nd at i o nt oi s s ueat e mp o r a r y r e s t r a i ni ngo r d e r ,a sha db e e ndo nei npr e v i o usc a s e swhe nt i mewa so ft hee s s e nc e

i ni mpo r t a ntma t t e r sa ndc a s e s .I nd e e d,i ti si nt r i g ui ngt ha tt her a fflewa sma deo n t heda yaf t e rt heJ une 424

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30,2014 JBC mee t i ngt hatr es ul t edi n as hor tl i s to fnomi neeswhen moo tand a c a de mi cr ul i ngc o u l db ev e r yt e mp t i ng . Fi f t h,wha ta p p ar e n t l yt hr e w amo n ke ywr e n c hi nt hep l a nt oe a s i l yg e tt heJ une 2 4,2 0 1 4l e t t e r p e t i t i o no uto ft he wa y ,wa st he r e c o mme nd at i o no ft he i ni t i a l Member i nChar ge,no tt os i mpl yNOTE t hel e t t erand no tt oent era“ moo tand a c a de mi c ”r u l i ng ,b utt oas kt hepa r t i e st oc o mme nti no r de rt oc o n duc taq ui e tb ut s pe e dyi nv es t i g at i o n. Att hatpo i nt ,o bj e c t i o nsatt h eEnBanc we r ema de ,r e s ul t i ngi nama j o r i t yr ul i ngt o NOTE t hel e t t e rwi t ho utp r e j ud i c et oan ya c t i o nJ ar d e l e z ami g htt a ke .Thi swa so f c o ur s eamo v et ha ta l r e a dyr o s et ot hel e v e lo fma l i c e ,a st i mewa soft hee s s e nc ei n a c t i ngo nt hema t t e r ;t her e g ul a randf o r ma lc e r t i o r ar ip r o c e s sal o n ewo u l dha v e e a t e nuppr e c i o ust i meo nt hepa r to ft heappo i nt i ngaut ho r i t y . St i l lr e l yi ngo nj udi c i alpr o c e s s e s ,Jar de l e z adut i f ul l yfil e dhi spe t i t i o no nJul y18, 2 0 14o ra b o u tamo n t ha wa yf r o mt hePr e s i d e nt ’ sAug us t2 0 ,2 0 14d e a dl i ne .The Co ur ta c t e do nt hepe t i t i o ni ni t sJul y2 2,20 14Re s o l ut i o nb yr e q ui r i ngt hepa r t i e s t oc o mme ntwi t hi nano ne x t e ndi b l epe r i o do ft e nda y s . Sur p r i s eo fs ur p r i s e s ,t hi ss i mpl euns i g ne dCo ur tRe s o l ut i o nt ha tc o ul db epr e p ar e d f r o m at e mp l a t ewa sno ti s s ue dunt i lAug us t1 ,2 01 4,t husa g ai ne a t i ngupag o o d po r t i o no ft hePr e s i de nt ’ spr e c i o usappo i nt i ngt i me . heJ BCfil e di t sCo mme nta tt hel a s tmi nut eo ft hel a s tho uro ft hede a dl i ne , Si xt h,t Augus t11 ,2014o rada ybe f o r et h eEnBancme e t i ngo fAug us t1 2,2 01 4 A . c opyof t heComme ntwasgi ve nt ot heMe mber i nChar geabout30mi nut e sf r om En

Banct i me:how c oul dt heMember i nChar gemeani ngf ul l yc onsi dert heComment unde rt hi st i mec o ns t r a i nt ? Si g ni fic a nt l y ,CJSe r e no ,as e p ar a t er e s p o nd e nt ,d i dno tfil ean yc o mme ntd e s p i t e t h enonext endi bl e pe r i o dg i v e n .Thec a t c hwa si nt hep r a y e ro ft heCo mme ntt ha t as k edf o ras uppl e me ntwhe r e ,ase v e nt sunf o l de d,t hef ul lb l as to fCJ 425

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Se r e n o’ sc a s ewa sdi s c l o s e d .Att ha tt i me ,J ar d e l e z ac o ul dha r dl yb eg i v e nt i met o r e s p o ndt ot hene w ma t t e r sa l l e g e di nt hes u pp l e me nta si twa sa l r e a dyAug us t1 5, 2014 — t he Fr i day bef or et he l as t En Bancs e s s i o no n Aug us t1 9 ,2 0 14 ;t he Pr e s i de nt ’ sl i mi t e dt i mee x pi r e st hene x td a y ,Aug us t2 0,2 01 4.

si mpart i al i t yi nres ol vi ngt hei nt egri t yobj ect i on agai ns tJarC. 4.TheJBC’ del ezai sdoubt f ul

The f a c t s ,a sd e r i v e df r o m t he p l e a di ng s ,a l s or a i s eq ue s t i o nsa bo utt he J BC’ s i mp ar t i a l i t ya ss h o wnb yt hema nne ri th andl e dt heo b j e c t i o nsag a i ns tJ ar de l e z a ’ s i nt e gr i t y . Fi r s t ,Jar d el e z a’ so ppo s i t o rwasCJ Ser eno, whowasno tonl yamemberoft heJBC, but i t s e xo ffic i oc ha i r .De s p i t et he o p po s i t i o n CJ Se r e n ov o i c e do u ta g a i ns t J ar d e l e z a ,s hewa sal l o we dt oc o nt i nuet os i ta ndt a kepa r ti nt heJBCde l i b er a t i o ns o nJ ar de l e z a . Thats hedi dno tv o t ef o rJar d el e z a’ si nc l us i o no re x c l us i o ni nt hes ho r tl i s ti sno tas ma t e r i a la she rpa r t i c i pa t i o ni nt hede l i be r a t i o ns ,whe r es heha dbe e na tabe t t e r

pos i t i on t oi nfluenc et he dec i s i on oft he JBC member s .The Chi efJus t i c e’ s pa r t i c i pa t i o ni nt hede l i b er a t i o nsal l o we dhe rt oa ns we rque s t i o nst ha to t he rJBC me mb e r spo s e da st he yund e r we n tt he d e c i s i o n ma ki ng p r o c e s so fi nc l ud i ng o r e x c l ud i ng J ar d e l e z a ;s he c o ul dv o i c eo uthe ro pi ni o ns a nd c o unt e r a r g u me nt s agai nstt he mi s gi vi ngsand t hought s ofo t her JBC member s whi l et hey wer e i ndi v i dual l yc o ns i de r i ngt he i rv o t e s ,whi l ee ffe c t i v e l ybl o c k i ngwhat e v e rar g ume nt s t he r emi g htb et os upp o r tJ ar de l e z a . Thi si si nc o n t r as tt ot r e a t i nghe ra sanyo t he ro p po s i t o r ,whe r es h ewo ul dha v et he o ppo r t uni t yt opr e s e nthe rc a s eag ai ns tJ ar de l e z abutno tc o u nt e r ar g uea st heJBC me mb e r sde l i be r a t e .Effe c t i v e l y ,e v e nwi t ho utv o t i ng ,CJ Se r e n owa sa l l o we dt ob e a no p po s i t o ra g a i ns tJ ar d e l e z aa nda tt hes a met i mepa r to ft hebo d yt ha two ul d de c i dehi sf at e— as i t uat i o n 426

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t hatt hemaxi m ne moj ude xi np ar t es ua ( noma ns h o ul dbeaj ud g eo fhi so wnc a us e ) hadwar nedagai ns t . Thes e l e c t i v eappl i c a t i o no ft heJBC’ sr ul e si sal s ohi g hl ys us pe c t .Thepr o c e e di ng s b e f o r et heJ BC s ho we dt ha ts o meo fi t sme mb e r swe r ea wa r et ha to p po s i t i o nt oa n a ppl i c a nt ’ si nc l us i o ni nt he s h o r tl i s ta nd hi sr e s po ns et he r e t os h o ul db ei n wr i t i ng . 5 2TheJ BC,up o nCJ Se r e no ’ si ns i s t e nc e ,c h os et oi g no r et hi sr ul e— whi c h e mb o di e dpr o c e d ur a ld uepr o c e s s— f o rt hes o l er e a s o nt ha ti two ul db e“ me s s y . ” 5 3 I ns t e a d,t he J BC o p t e df o ran o nt he s p o tc o nf r o nt a t i o na g ai ns tJ a r d e l e z a ,a nd a pp l i e dt heuna ni mo usv o t er e q ui r e me ntund e rSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09 .Tha t ar u l ef a v o r a bl et oJ ar d e l e z awa sno ti mp l e me nt e dwhi l ear u l et ha two ul dma kei t mor edi ffic ul tf orhi mt obe c omeanomi neewas _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

52 The mi nut e s oft he JBC’ s June 16,2014 Exe c ut i ve Ses s i o ns how t hat Co ng r e s s ma nTupa spo i nt e do utt ha tt her ul e sp r o v i det hata no ut s i de r ’ so p po s i t i o n a nd t hea pp l i c a nt ’ sc o mme ntt ot heo p po s i t i o ns h o ul db ei n wr i t i ng ,a nd a s k e d whe t he rt hes a mer e q u i r e me n ts ho u l da pp l yi ft heo p p o s i t o ri sa me mb e ro ft he JBC: Congr es s manTupasc ont i nued shoul dt her ebepri oropposi t i on i n wri t i ngby an out s i der ,hei sal l owe d an opport uni t yt ocommenton t heobj ec t i on i n wri t i ng.Hei nq ui r e d :I ft he r ei sac ha l l e ng ema deb ya ni ns i de ro raMe mb e r ,t he n t hea pp l i c a ntc a nnol o ng e ro b t a i na na ffir ma t i v ev o t ef r o ma l lt heMe mb e r s ,a ndi s het he r e f o r ea ut o ma t i c a l l ydi s q ua l i fie d?I fame mb e ri nv o ke sRul e10 ,Se c . 2 ,s ho ul d no tt hec a ndi d at ebegi v e nac ha nc et or e s p o ndt ot hec ha l l e ng ei nwr i t i ngt ohi s i nt e g r i t yb e f o r ea v o t ei st a ke n ? Mi nut e so ft he J BC J une 1 6 ,2 0 14 Ex e c ut i v e Se s s i o n,p.3,e mphas i so ur s . 5 3I nr e s p o ns et oCo ng r e s s ma nTupa s ’ q ue r i e s , Chi e fJ us t i c eSe r e nor e p l i e d : Chi e fJus t i c eSe r e nopo i nt e do utt hatput t i ngt hec hal l e ng et oSo l .Ge n.Jar d e l e z ai n wr i t i ng c o u l db e“ me s s y ”a si t wo u l da l e r ta t t e n t i o nf r o m t he i nt e r na t i o n al c o mmuni t yandt hei nt e r na t i o na le mb ar r a s s me nta ndt hep o s s i b l ea dv e r s ee ffe c to f t hi so nt hePhi l i p pi nec l a i m mi g htb eco mp l i c a t e d .Mi nut e so ft heJ BC J une1 6 , 2 01 4Ex e c ut i v eSe s s i o n,p.3 . 427

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e nf o r c e d,s ho wsb e y o nddo ub tt hei mpa r t i a l i t yt hatt heJ BCe x e r c i s e dag ai ns thi m.

C. 5.TheJBC gravel yabus edi t sdi s cre t i onwheni tvi ol at edi t sownrul es

Theab o v ed i s c us s i o no np r o c e d ur a lduepr o c e s sd o e sno td we l lo nt het o p i co ft he J BC’ sc o mpl i a nc ewi t hi t sr ul e s ;i ns t e ad,i tj ux t a po s e dt heJ BC’ sac t i o nswi t ht he r udi me nt a r ypr i nc i pl e so fduepr o c e s s . Thet wopr i nc i pl e so fpr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s s —t her i g htt ob ehe a r db yani mp ar t i a lt r i b una l— a r er e q ui r e do ft heJ BC,e v e n wi t ho uta nye x pr e s sr u l er e q ui r i ngt he mt oo b s e r v et he s es t a nd ar ds . TheJBC,ho we ve r ,hasf or mul at edi t so wn r ul es ,whi c he ve nc ommandedt hata hi g he rs t a nda r df o rpr o c e d ur a lp r o c e s sb ea ppl i e dt oJ ar d e l e z a .Bute v e ns o ,b y o p t i ngt os e l e c t i v e l ya ppl yi t so wnr ul e st ot hepr e j udi c eo fJ ar de l e z a ,t heJ BC no t o nl yvi o l at e dt hepr e c e pt so fpr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s s ; i ta l s ovi o l at e dt heve r yr ul e si t hass e tf o ri t s e l fandt husv i o l at e di t so wns t andar d s . Thi ski nd o fv i o l a t i o ni sf a rwo r s et ha nt he v i o l a t i o no fa ni nd e pe nd e nt l ya nd e x t e r na l l yi mpo s e dr ul e ,a ndc a nno tb utb et hev i o l a t i o nc o n t e mpl a t e dbyt h et e r m g r a v ea bus eo fd i s c r e t i o n.TheJ BC c a nno tb ea l l o we dt oc r e a t ea r ul ea nda tt he s a met i mea ndwi t ho utj us t i fia bl er e a s o n ,c ho o s ewhe na ndt owho mi ts h a l la pp l y , p ar t i c ul a r l y whe nt hea pp l i c a t i o no ft he s er u l e sa ffe c t st hi r dp e r s o nswho ha v e r e l i e do ni t . I nt hec a s eo fJ ar de l e z a ,t heJBC ha dpr e v a i l i ngr u l e so nho wt oha ndl eo bj e c t i o ns po s e da gai ns ta ppl i c a nt saswe l lasr ul e st ha tf ul l ys a t i s fie dt her e q ui r e me nt so f pr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s s :ano bj e c t i o nt hati ss uffic i e nt l ys e r i o usi sr e q ui r e dt obei n wr i t i ngunde rr e q ui r e ds a f e g uar ds ,a ndt heappl i c a nti sg i v e nt i met or e p l yandt he r i g htt obehe a r d. Theappl i c a t i o no ft he s er ul e so no bj e c t i o nwe r e ,f o rs o mer e a s o n,di ffe r e n ti nt he c a s eo fJ ar de l e z a .De s pi t eb e i ngav e r ys e r i o usc a ndi da t ewhoi nf a c tme r i t e dt he v o t eo fama j o r i t yof 428

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t hemember soft heJBC,nospe c i fic at i oni nwr i t i ngwasev ermadeandt heJBC c o n t e n de di t s e l fwi t hap ho n e no t i fic a t i o n who s es c o p ea nd e ff e c t i v e n e s sa r e a mo r p ho us . Thef a i l ur ec o nt i nue dde s p i t eaf o r ma ll e t t e r pe t i t i o nma debyJa r de l e z a be f o r et hi sCo ur tt hat ,unf o r t unat e l y ,wasi t s e l fbl o c k e d,s ot hatJ ar d e l e z ahadt o r e s o r tt ot hepr e s e ntc a s e . Thedi ffe r e nc ei nt r e a t me nt ,o fc o ur s e ,c o ul db ei nt hepe r s o n al i t yo ft hep ar t y o b j e c t i ngt oJ ar d e l e z a— t heCha i rhe r s e l fo ft heJ BC — a ndbyt hes e l e c t e dt i mi ng o ft hepr e s e nt at i o no ft heo bj e c t i o n— af t e ra l lo bj e c t i o nshadbe e nhe ar ddur i ngt he finals e l e c t i o no ft heno mi ne e st obes ho r tl i s t e d.The s ec i r c ums t a nc e s ,t omymi nd, ma ket heJ BCv i o l a t i o nf a rwo r s et ha name r ed i ffe r e nt i a lt r e a t me nto fa na ppl i c a nt wi t ha no ut s i d eo b j e c t o r ,pa r t i c ul a r l ywhe n,a ss h o wn a bo v e ,c i r c ums t a nc e se x i s t r e v e a l i ngaf o c us e de ffo r tt oe x c l udeJar d e l e z a. Admi t t e dl y ,bo t h JBC00954 and JBC01055 al l o w t he c o nduc to f a di s c r e e t b ac kg r o und i nf o r ma t i o no nt hea pp l i c a nt .I ti smyv i e w,ho we v e r ,t ha t oncet he di s c r e e t bac kground i nve s t i gat i on pro duc e s an oppos i t i on t o t he appl i cat i on,t hens uchopposi t i onshoul dbei nwri t i ng. Tr u e ,t heJBCha st hedi s c r e t i o nt omo t up r o p r i o e nt e r t ai no rdi s c a r dano ppo s i t i o n. Tha ti st hei mpo r to ft hewo r d‘ ma y ’ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 54 Sec t i on2. Bac kg r o undChe c k. —TheCounc i lmayor deradi s c r e t ebac kgr ound c he c ko nt he i nt e g r i t y ,r e put a t i o na nd c ha r a c t e ro ft he a ppl i c a nt ,a nd r e c e i v e f e e d ba c kt he r e o nf r o m t hepub l i c ,whi c hi ts ha l lc he c ko rv e r i f yt ov a l i da t et he me a nst he r e o f . 55 SEC.3. TheJudi c i aland BarCounci ls hal lfixadat ewheni ts hal lmee ti n e x e c ut i v es e s s i o nt oc o ns i de rt heq ual i fic a t i o no ft hel o ngl i s to fc a ndi dat e sandt he c o mpl a i nto ro p po s i t i o na gai ns tt he m,i fan y .TheCo unc i lma y ,o ni t so wn,c o n duc ta di s c r e e ti nv e s t i g at i o no ft hebac k gr o undo ft hec andi dat e s . Ont hebas i so fi t se v al uat i o no ft hequal i fic a t i o no ft hec andi dat e s ,t heCo unc i ls hal l pr e p ar et hes ho r t e rl i s to fc a ndi da t e swho mi td e s i r e st oi nt e r v i e wf o ri t sf ur t he r c o ns i de r at i o n.

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i nSe c t i o n3, 56Rul e4 B . utr e gar dl e s soft heJBC’ sac t i onori nac t i ont oi t,t he t hSe c t i o n3 ,Rul e4o fJ BC0 09andSe c t i o n2 opposi t i ons houl dbei nwri t i ng.Bo o fJ BC0 10 r e q ui r et ha tan o p po s i t i o no rc o mp l a i nta g ai ns ta na pp l i c a ntb ei n wr i t i ng ,whi l et hel at t e re v e nr e q ui r e st ha tt hi sbes uppo r t e db ya nne x e s .I ns ho r t , t heJ BC c a nr e c e i v ea no ppo s i t i o nt oan a ppl i c a t i o no nl yi fi ti si n wr i t i ng ,a nd c a nno tc ho o s et or e c e i v eve r balo bj e c t i o ns . Onc et hec o mp l a i nto ro p po s i t i o ni sg i v e nd uec o u r s ebyt heJBC,t heSe c r e t a r yo f t heCo u nc i li sdut y b o und und e rSe c t i o n2o fJ BC0 1 0t of ur ni s h ac o p yt ot he a ppl i c a nt ,whos ha l lt he nha v efiv eda y sf r o mr e c e i p tt he r e o ft oc o mme nt ,i fhes o d e s i r e s . Wha ti so p t i o na lf o rt heJ BC i st or e q ui r ea t e s t i mo n yo ft heo p po s i t o ro rhi s wi t ne s s e s— b uto nc ei td e c i de st odos o ,i ti sr e q ui r e dt og i v edueno t i c et ot he appl i c ant who s hal l be al l o wed t oc r os s ex ami ne t he oppos i t e and t o offer c o unt e r v ai l i nge v i de nc e . Thus ,Ic a nno ta gr e ewi t ht hewa yt heJ BC i nt e r p r e t e di t sr ul e st oa l l o wi tt o c o nduc tano nt he s po ti nt e r r o g at i o no fJar d e l e z a,wi t ho ute v e nno t i f y i nghi mo ft he s pe c i fic i t i e soft hec har g e sag ai ns thi m.Thi s ,ase ar l i e rdi s c us s e d,v i o l at e st hebas i c r u di me nt so fpr o c e d ur a ld uepr o c e s s . I tmus tb er e me mb e r e d ,a tt hi spo i nt ,t ha ti nc a s eo fd o ub ta st owhi c ho ft wo i nt e r pr e t at i o nso far ul ea ppl i e s ,t hec o ns t r uc t i o nt hate nf o r c e sr i g htandj us t i c e s ho ul dpr e v ai l ; 5 7t ha twhi c hr e c o g ni z e sduepr o c e s s ,a c c o unt ab i l i t yi ng o v e r nme nt a ndt r ans p ar e nc ys ho ul dbef a v o r e d .Fr o mt hi sp e r s pe c t i v e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

s t i mo ni e so fPar t i e s . 56 Sec t i on3. Te —TheCo unc i lma yr e c e i v ewr i t t e no p po s i t i o n t oana ppl i c a nto ng r o undo fhi smo r a lfit ne s sa ndi t sdi s c r e t i o n,t heCo unc i lma y r e c e i v et het e s t i mo nyo ft heoppo s i t o ratahe a r i ngc o n duc t e df o rt hepur p o s e ,wi t h dueno t i c et ot hea ppl i c a ntwhos h al lb ea l l o we dt ob ec r o s s e x a mi net heo p po s i t e a ndt oo ffe rc o unt e r v a i l i nge v i de nc e . 57 DePadi l l av .DePadi l l a,74Phi l .377 ,387( 1943) . 430

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ando ft hi spr i nc i pl et ot hepr e s e ntc a s e,t heJBC’ si nt e r pr e t at i o no fi t sr ul e ss ho ul d no tbegi v ene ffe c tt ot hee xt e ntt hati tv i o l at e sduepr o c e s sa ndf o s t e r spar t i al i t y .

I I I . CourtAct i onont hePet i t i on

I nt hi sa l l i mpo r t antc a s ewhe r et hema t t e ri ndi s p ut ema yt o u c ho nt hePr e s i de nt ’ s p o we ro fa pp o i nt me nt ,t hep o we ro ft heJ BCa sab o dyt a s k e dwi t ht hes ub mi s s i o no f no mi ne e st ot hePr e s i d e nt ,a ndt heCo ur t ’ so wnp o we rund e rt heCo ns t i t ut i o n,t he Co ur to nc eagai n mus tt r e ad c ar e f ul l yt oens ur emaxi mum har mon yamongt he di ffe r e ntc o nt e ndi nge nt i t i e swhi l eens ur i ngt hatt heCo ns t i t ut i o ni sf ul l yr e s p e c t e d.

A. ThePr e s i de ntandhi sAppoi nt i ngPowe r

Noma j o ro b s t a c l ea ppe a r swi t hr e s p e c tt ot hePr e s i de nt ’ spo we rt oap po i nt ,a st he Co ur t ’ sl o o ko uti spr o t e c t i v e— ho wt opr o t e c tt hi spo we rt oe ns ur et hati tr e ma i ns f ul landunf e t t e r e d. I fa tal l ,apr o b l e m ma yar i s ei ft hePr e s i de nto v e r s ho o t st het e mpo r a ll i mi t at i o ni n t hee x e r c i s eo fh i sa ppo i nt i ngpo we r ,i . e . ,i fhedo e sno ta ppo i nta ndwa i t sf o rt he finalo ut c o meo ft hi sc a s e . Anyf e aro fc o nfli c twi t ht hePr e s i de nto nt hi spo i nt ,ho we v e r ,wo ul dbemi s pl ac e das t hi si sac a s eo ffir s ti mpr e s s i o nwhe r et her i s kpr e s e nti st hef e t t e r i ngo ft hepo we r o fa pp o i nt me nt .Thi sCo ur ts h o ul dno tb eas t umb l i ngb l o c ki ft hePr e s i de ntt a ke s t hev i e wt ha th es ho ul dno te x e r c i s eh i sp o we ro fa pp o i nt me nti nt heme a nt i met ha t t hel i s tt obes ubmi t t e dt ohi mi si nc o mpl e t eandi ss t i l lbe i ngl i t i g at e di nt hi sCo ur t . Thi s pr e s i de nt i ala ppr o a c h,i nf a c t ,i sa r e c o g ni t i o no ft he pr o p e re x e r c i s eo f j ur i s di c t i o nb yt hi sCo ur t .

B. Re l at i ons hi pwi t ht heJBC

Ashase ar l i e rbe e ndi s c us s e d,t heCo ur te x e r c i s e st wopo i nt so fe nt r yi nas s umi ng j ur i s di c t i o no v e rt hepr e s e ntpe t i 431

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t i o n.Th fi e r s t i si t ss upe r v i s i o no v e rt heJBC,whi l et he s e c o nd i st hee xe r c i s eo fi t s e x pande dj udi c i alpo we r .Bo t ho ft he s epo we r sar ec o ns t i t ut i o nali nnat ur e . TheJ BCi sund e rt hes up e r v i s i o n,no tj us to fame mb e ro ft heSup r e meCo ur tb uto f t hi sCo ur ta sa c o l l e g i a lb o dy .Si nc et heJ BC’ sma i nf unc t i o ni st or e c o mme nd

appo i nt e e st ot hej udi c i ar y , 58t hi sc o ns t i t ut i o nalde s i g nwasputi npl ac ei no r de rt o r e i nf o r c eano t he rc o ns t i t ut i o nalmandat egr a nt e dt ot hi sCo ur t :i t sadmi ni s t r a t i v e s upe r v i s i o no v e ral lc o ur t sandpe r s o nne lt he r e o f . 59 I nAmbi l ,Jr .v .Sandi g anbay anandPe o pl e, 6 0wec ha r a c t e r i z e dwha tma ke supt he po we ro fs upe r v i s i o n:

Ont heo t he rh and,t hepo we ro fs u pe r v i s i o nme a ns“ o v e r s e e i ngo rt hea ut ho r i t yo f a no ffic e rt os e et oi tt ha tt hes u b o r d i na t eo ffic e r sp e r f o r mt he i rdut i e s . ” I ft he s ubordi nat eoffi cer sf ai lornegl ectt of ul fil lt hei rdut i es ,t heoffi ci almay t akes uc h act i on ors t epaspre s cr i bed byl aw t omaket hem per f orm t hei r dut i e s .Es s e n t i a l l y ,t hep o we ro fs up e r v i s i o n me a nsnomo r et ha nt hep o we ro f e ns ur i ngt ha tl a wsar ef a i t hf ul l ye x e c u t e d ,o rt ha ts ub o r di na t eo ffic e r sac twi t hi n t hel a w.Thes upervi sorors uperi nt endentmere l ys eest oi tt hatt herul esare f ol l owe d,buthedoe snotl aydown t her ul e s ,nordoe shehavedi s c r e t i ont o modi f yorr epl acet hem. 61 Thi sr u l i ngs h o wst ha tt hepo we ro fs u pe r v i s i o ni sb o t h no r ma t i v eandpr o a c t i v e . Thes upe r v i s o rn o to n l ye ns u r e st ha tt hes ub o r d i na t eac t swi t hi nt hebo undso fi t s l a wl a de ndut i e sa ndf unc t i o ns ;hema yal s oc o mpe las u bo r d i na t et ope r f o r ms u c h dut i e sandf unc t i o ns ,whe ne v e ri tb e c o me sc l e a rt ha tt hes ub o r d i na t eha sa l r e a dy ac t e di ndi s r e gar do fi t . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 58 Co ns t i t ut i o n,Se c t i o n8( 5) ,Ar t i c l eVI I I . 59 Co ns t i t ut i o n,Se c t i o n6,Ar t i c l eVI I I . 60 G. R.Nos .175457and175482,Jul y6,2011,653SCRA576. 61 I d. ,a tp .5 96 ;e mp ha s i so ur s . 432

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Thatt heJ BC i sg r ant e dt hef ul ldi s c r e t i o nt od e t e r mi nei t so wnr ul e sa nds e l e c t t heno mi ne e si tde e msq ual i fie di sb e y ondque s t i o n.Thi sd i s c r e t i o n,ho we v e r ,l i keal l o t he re x e r c i s eo fdi s c r e t i o n,c o me swi t ht hel i mi t at i o nt hatt heJBCr ul e ss ho ul dno t v i o l a t et hef unda me nt a lr i g ht so ft hi r dp ar t i e sa swe l la st hepr o v i s i o nso ft he Co ns t i t ut i o n.Whe ne v e ra nys u c hv i o l a t i o no c c ur s ,t heSup r e meCo ur tma ys t e pi n we a r i ngi t ss e c o ndha ti ni t sr e l a t i o ns h i pwi t ht heJ BC — e x e r c i s i ngi t spo we rt o c o r r e c tgr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o nunde rSe c t i o n1 ,Ar t i c l eVI I Io ft heCo ns t i t ut i o n. Thus ,und e rt heCo ur t ’ ss up e r v i s o r yaut ho r i t yo v e rt heJ BC,i tc a nc o mpe lt heJ BC t oc o mpl ywi t hi t so wnr ul e s .Hadt hel e t t e r pe t i t i o ne ar l i e rb e engr a nt e d,t heCo ur t c o u l dha v eha dc o mpe l l e dJ ar de l e z a ’ so b j e c t o r st oputt he i ro ppo s i t i o nsi nwr i t i ng a ndal l o wJ ar de l e z at oc o mme ntt he r e o n,a nd,i fne c e s s a r y ,pr e s e ntc o u nt e r v a i l i ng e v i de nc ea ndc r o s s e x ami nehi so p po s i t o r si nahe ar i ngc o nduc t e df o rs uc hpur p o s e . Co mpe l l i ng t heJ BC t oe x e r c i s ei t sdi s c r e t i o no fi nc l udi ng a pe r s o ni n al i s to f no mi ne e s ,ho we v e r ,i sa no t he rma t t e r .TheCo ur tc a nno ti s s ueawr i to fmandamus t oc o mpe lt heJBC t oi nc l udeJ ar de l e z ai nt hes ho r tl i s t ,s i nc emandamusc a no nl y b e di r e c t e dt oo b l i g et hepe r f o r ma nc eo fami ni s t e r i a la c t .On t hec o nt r a r y ,t he d e c i s i o nt oi nc l ud eap ar t i c ul a rc a nd i d at ei nt he s h o r tl i s to fno mi ne e si sa di s c r e t i o nar yac t i o no nt hepa r to ft heJ BC.Aswee x pl a i ne di n Pe fianc ov .Mo r al : 62

I ti ss e t t l e dt hatmandamus i se mp l o y e dt oc o mp e lt hepe r f o r ma nc e ,whe nr e f us e d , o fami ni s t e r i aldut y ,t hi sbe i ngi t smai no bj e c t i v e .I td oe sno tl i et or e qui r eany o ne t of ul fil la di s c r e t i o nar y dut y .I ti se s s e nt i alt ot he i s s uance ofa wr i tof mandamust hatpet i t i one rs houl d havea cl e ar l e galri ghtt ot he t hi ng demandedandi tmus tbet hei mper at i vedut yoft her e s pondentt oper f or m t heac tr e q ui r e d.I tne v e ri s s ue si ndo ubt f ulc a s e s .Whi l ei tma yno tb ene c e s s a r y _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

6 23 79Phi l .4 68 ,4 7 9;3 22SCRA4 39 ,4 4 8( 2 00 0) . 433

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t hatt hedut yb ea bs o l ut e l ye x pr e s s e d ,i tmus tne v e r t he l e s sb ec l e a r .Thewr i twi l l no ti s s uet oc o mpe la no ffic i a lt odoan yt hi ngwhi c hi sno thi sd ut yt od oo rwhi c hi s hi sdut yno tt odo ,o rg i v et ot h ea ppl i c a nta ny t hi ngt owhi c hhei sno te nt i t l e db y l a w.Thewr i tne i t he rc o nf e r sp o we r sno ri mpo s e sd ut i e s .I ti ss i mpl yac o mma ndt o e x e r c i s eap o we ra l r e a dypo s s e s s e dandt ope r f o r m adut ya l r e a dyi mp o s e d . Thus ,t heCo ur t ’ sa v ai l abl ea c t i o n,i fi ti st ob ebas e do ni t sp o we ro fs upe r vi s i o n, i st odi r e c tt heJBC t or e c o n v e neanda c c o r dJ ar d e l e z at heduepr o c e s sr i g ht st ha t mus tb ea c c o r d e dt o hi m.Und e rt he c i r c ums t a nc e so ft hi sc a s e ,ho we v e r ,t hi s r e me d yma yno tb ea v ai l a bl east heCo ur tha st ot a kei nt oac c o untt hePr e s i de nt ’ s t i mel i mi t at i o ni ne x e r c i s i ngi t spo we ro fappo i nt me nt .Thus ,t hi sav ai l abl eac t i o n, s ho ul do nl ybec o ns i de r e di nt hef ut ur ea ndi nr e s e r v e ,t obet a ke no nl yi nt hemo r e appr o p r i at ec as e swhe r et i mel i mi t at i o ni sno tama j o rc o ns t r a i nt . Ast hepr e c e di ng di s c us s i o nswo ul ds ho w,t heJBC had ac t e di n gr a v eabus eo f di s c r e t i o nwhe ni ts e l e c t i v e l ya ppl i e di t sr ul e st omakei tmo r edi ffic ul tf o rJar d e l e z a t obei nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s t .TheJBC’ sno nc o mpl i a nc ewi t hi t so wnr ul e s , i nt ur n , v i o l at e dJar d e l e z a’ sduepr o c e s sr i g ht s .Ther e c o gni t i o nt ha tt hi sac t i o ni sagr a v e abus eo fdi s c r e t i o nr e nde r st hepr o c e e di ng sunde r t ake no nJar d e l e z a’ si nt e gr i t ynul l a nd v o i d ,i . e . ,a ne v e n tt ha twa sne v e ri n v o k e d,t ha tne v e rha pp e ne d ,a nd t ha t s ho ul dha v enol e g ale ffe c t . I no t he rwo r d s ,b e c a us eo ft heJ BC’ sg r a v ea bus eo fd i s c r e t i o ni n ha nd l i ng t he ac c us at i o nsag ai ns tJar de l e z a’ si nt e gr i t y ,i t si nv o c at i o no fRul e10,Se c t i o n2o fJBC0 09( r e q ui r i nguna ni mo usv o t e si nc a s e swhe r et he r ea r eac c us a t i o nsag a i ns tt he appl i c a nt ’ si nt e gr i t y )s ho ul dbenul l i fie d.Thea c c us a t i o nss ho ul dbede e me dne v e rt o ha v eha pp e ne ds ot ha tn one e de x i s t st oi n v o keSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 0 9.The

pr a c t i c a le ffe c to ft hi s de c l a r a t i o ni st or e c o g ni z et he ma j o r i t yv o t e st he J BC pr e v i o us l yc a s ti nJ ar d e l e z a’ sf a v or .Hes ho ul dt husbe 434

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de c l a r e di nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s to fno mi mi ne e spur s uantt ot hi sJ BCa c t i o n.

Concl us i ons

Ba s e do nt hea bo v ep r e m mi i s e s ,Ij o i nt h p epo ne nc i a i nt her e s ul t sandaddi t i o nal l yho l d —t oe ns ur et hema ma i nt e na nc eo ft heCo ur t ’ si nt e g r i t yanddi g ni t yasa ni ns t i t ut i o n unde rt hec i r c u ms ms t a nc e so ft hi sc a s e— t ha t 1)TheJBC’ sSuppl eme ment alComm mments houl dbes t r i c kenf r om t her ec or dsandi t s c o p i e swi wi t hdr a wnf r o mc i r c ul a t i o nwi t ht hec a v e a tt ha ti t sc o nt e nt ss ho ul dno tb e publ i c l ypr i nt e da nddi s s e mi mi na t e d ; 2)TheCo ur ts ho ul dde c l ar et hatt heJBC’ ss e l e c t i v eappl i c a t i o no fi t sr ul e s ,i nl i g ht o fa c c us at i o nsag ai ns tp et i t i o ne rJar de l e z a’ si nt e gr i t y ,v i o l at e dJar de l e z a’ sr i g htt o duepr o c e s s ;t hea ppl i c a t i o nt he r e f o r eo fSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e1 0o fJ BC0 09i sde c l a r e d i nv al i d;and 3 )I nl i g hto ft hi si n v al i d i t ya nd t he ma j o r i t yv o t e st he J BC a l r e a dy c a s ti n J ar d e l e z a ’ sf a v o r ,hes ho ul db ede c l a r e di nc l ude di nt hel i s tt heJBC s ub mi mi t t e dt o t hePr e s i d e nto nJ une3 0,2 01 4 . I nl i g ht o ft he t i me c o ns i d e r a t i o ns i n v o l v e d ,t he Co ur t ’ sd e c i s i o ns h o ul db e i mmedi at el yexe cut ory.TheOffic eo ft hePr e s i d e nts h o ul db ei mme d i a t e l yno t i fie d o ft her e s ul t so ft heCo ur t ’ sde c i s i o ne v e npe ndi ngt hef o r ma ma lr e l e as eo ft heCo ur t ’ s de c i s i o n.

SEPARATEOPI NI ON

PERALTA, J. :

Iv o t e di nf a v o ro ft hema ma j o r i t ywh whe nt heCo ur E t nBancde l i be r at e dupo nt hel e t t e r pe t i t i o no fSo l i c i t o rGe Ge ne r a lFr a nc i sJ ar de l e z ai no urJ une2 4,2 01 4 Re s o l ut i o n, whi c hme me r e l y 435

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“ NOTED”t hes a i dl e t t e r ,b e c a us et hes e l e c t i o nb yt heJ ud i c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i l J (BC)wasal r eady fini s hed on June30,2014 and t hel ac k ofs uffic i entt i met o t ho r o ug hl ys t udyt hec o nt e nt so ft hes a i dl e t t e r ,t hes a me meha v i ngb e e nc a l e nd ar e d f o rd el i be r a t i o no nl yt ha tmo mo r ni ngofJul y1,2014,t hes c he dul e d EnBanc s e s s i o n. I ,ho we v e r ,c o n c u r r e d wi t ht he ma j o r i t y ’ sp r o no u nc e me me nt t ha ti twa s wi t ho u t p r e j ud i c et oa nyr e me me d yt ha tSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lJ ar d e l e z a wo ul d wa ntt op ur s u e . Tr u ee no ug h,t hepr o p e rpe t i t i o na g ai ns tt heChi e fJ us t i c e ,t heJBC,a ndEx e c ut i v e Se c r e t a r yPa qui t oN. N.Oc ho a ,J r .wa sfil e db ySo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lJ ar de l e z ao nJ ul y1 8, 2014. Af t e rg o i ngo v e rand po nde r i ngupo nt he po ne nc i aa nd t heo p i ni o nso ft heo t he r o nc u r r e nc ewi J us t i c e s ,Ia mr e g i s t e r i ngmyc t ht heo p i ni o no fmye s t e e me me dc o l l e a gue J us t i c eJ o s eCa t r a lMe nd o z aa nd,l i ke wi s e ,a do p tt hes e p a r a t ec o nc ur r i ngo p i ni o ns o fmy r e s p e c t e dc o l l e a g ue sJ us t i c e sTe r e s i t a Le o n ar d o DeCa s t r oa nd Ar t ur oD. Br i o n.Ve r i l y ,So l i c i t o rGe ne r alJ ar de l e z awa sundul yde pr i v e do fhi sr i g htt odue

pr o c e s si nt hepr o c e e di ng sbe f o r et heJ BC a nd,f ur t he r ,t heCo ur t ’ sc o ns t i t ut i o na l p o we ro fs u pe r v i s i o no v e rt heJ BCmus tb eup he l d .

DI SSENT NTI NG OPI NI ON

LEONEN, J. :

Pr e f at or ySt at e me nt

I nt hegui s eo fani nv o c at i o no fduepr o c e s so fl a w,t hi spe t i t i o nt e mp mp t sust or e ac h b e y o ndo urc o ns t i t ut i o na ldut i e sa ndr e q ui r et heJudi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lt oame nd t he l i s to fno mi mi ne e st ot he v a c a nc yi nt hi sc o u r tc a us e db yt he r e t i r e me me nto f As s o c i at eJus t i c eRo be r t oAbad.Thel i s twasunani mo us l ys i g ne db yal lme mbe r so f t heJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i la ndv a l i dl yt r a ns mi mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i d e nt .No neo fi t s me mbe r s43 6

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di s s e nt e dt ono mi mi na t i ngo nl yf o urna me me sf o rt heva c antp o s i t i o no fAs s o c i a t eJus t i c e oft heSupr eme meCour t . Thepr i nc i pali s s uer a i s e dag ai ns tpe t i t i o ne rdur i ngt hepr o c e e di ng si nt heJudi c i al andBarCo unc i lwass e ns i t i v et ot henat i o nali nt e r e s t .I tr e l at e st ohi sat t e mp mp t s , as So l i c i t o r Ge ne r a l ,t oe x c l ud ec e r t a i ns t a t e me me nt si na n i mpo r t a nt a r b i t r a t i o n c o mm mme nc e db yt heRe p ub l i co ft hePhi l i ppi ne s .

The c o mme ntand s uppl e me nt alc o mme nts ubmi mi t t e d by t he Judi c i aland Bar Co unc i ls h o wt ha ti ta pp e ar e dt ot heChi e fJ us t i c ea nda no t he rme mb mb e rt ha tt he s e a t t e mp mp t swe r el e g a l l yb as e l e s s .The i ra s s e s s me ntc a me meno to nl yf r o mt he i ro wn kno wl e dg eo ft hei s s ue sasv al i da t e db yt he i ro wn di s c r e e ti nv e s t i g at i o nb uta l s o f r o mt hepr e s e nt a t i o no fSe ni o rAs s o c i a t eJus t i c eAnt o ni oCar p i o .Se ni o rAs s o c i a t e J us t i c e Ant o n i o Ca r p i o wa si n v i t e da sr e s o ur c ep e r s o nt op l a c ei nc o nt e x tt he o b j e c t i o ns t ot he i nc l us i o no fp e t i t i o ne ri nt he l i s to fno mi mi ne e s .A c o p yo ft he me mo mo r a ndum o ft heRe pub l i c ’ spr i nc i pa lf o r e i g nl e g alc o uns e li nt hi si nt e r na t i o na l ar bi t r at i on was al s o made av ai l abl et ot he memb mber s of t he Counci l . The me mo mo r a nd um wa sa dd r e s s e dt ope t i t i o ne ra sSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a la ndt heSe c r e t a r yo f Fo r e i g nAffa i r s . Gi v e nt hes e n s i t i v ec ha r a c t e ro ft heg r o und sr a i s e d ,t heJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l c ho s et opr o v i depe t i t i o ne rwi wi t h a di s c r e e tf o r um t ohe a rhi ss i deo ft hi si s s ue . De s p i t eb ei ngi nf o r me me do ft hena t ur eo ft heo b j e c t i o n,pe t i t i o ne ri ns t e adc ho s et o r a i s es o l e l ypr o c e dur a lgr o undsc l ai mi ngt hatt heduepr o c e s sc l aus er e q ui r e sc r o s s e x a mi mi na t i o n. Nope r s o nha sav e s t e dr i g htt obeno mi mi na t e df o raj udi c i a lpo s i t i o n.I nmyv i e w,t he e l e me me nt a lr e q ui r e me me nt so ff a i r ne s se mb mb e dd e di nt hed uep r o c e s sc l a us ewa sa ffo r de d t ope t i t i o ne r . We s h o ul d t r e a d c a r e f ul l y ,s t a yo ur ha nd s , and p r a c t i c ej ud i c i a lr e s t r a i nt . Si g ni fic a ntc a s e ss uc ha st he s et hatc o ul dr e s ul ti nt henul l i fic a t i o no fa na c to fa c o ns t i t ut i o nalo r g anc e r t ai nl ydono tde s e r v ehas t yc o nc l us i o nsa ndt heabbr e v i 437

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a t e dde l i be r a t i o ns .Ast hec o u r to fl a s tr e s o r t ,weha v et og i v ee v e r ya r g ume nti n e v e r ydo c ume ntt hec o n s c i o ust ho ug hti td e s e r v e s .

TheCo ns t i t ut i o ng r a nt st ot heJ ud i c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i lt hes o l ea nd e x c l us i v e po we rt ov e tno to nl yt heq ua l i fic a t i o nsbuta l s ot hefit ne s so fa ppl i c a nt st ot hi s c o ur t .I ti st heJudi c i alandBa rCo unc i lt ha td e t e r mi mi ne st hee x t e nto fc o mpe t e nc e , i nde pe nde nc e , pr o b i t y , andi nt e gr i t yt hats ho ul dbepo s s e s s e db yanappl i c a ntbe f o r e heo rs hei si nc l ude di nt hel i s to fno mi mi ne e spr e p ar e df o rt hePr e s i de nt . Byc o ns t i t ut i o nalde s i g n,t hi sc o ur ts ho ul dwi s e l yr e s i s tt e mp mpt at i o nst opar t i c i pat e , di r e c t l yo ri ndi r e c t l y ,i nt he no mi mi na t i o na nd a ppo i nt me ntpr o c e s so fa ny o fi t s me mb mb e r s .I nr e a l i t y ,no mi mi na t i o nt ot hi sc o ur tc a r r i e swi t hi tt he po l i t i c a land pe r s o na lp r e s s ur e sf r o mt hes uppo r t e r so fs t r o ngc o nt e nde r s .Thi sc o ur ti swi s e l y s h ade df r o mt he s es t r e s s e s .Wekno wt ha tt hequa l i t yo ft her ul eo fl a wi sr e duc e d whe na n yme me mb mb ero ft hi sc o u r ts uc c umb st op r e s s ur e . Thes e p ar a t i o no fp o we r si nhe r e nti no urCo ns t i t ut i o ni sar a t i o na lc he c ka ga i ns t a bus ea ndt hemo no p o l i z a t i o no fa l ll e g a lpo we r s .Wes ho ul dno tnul l i f ya nya c to f a nyc o ns t i t ut i o nalo r g a nunl e s st he r ei sgr a v eab us eo fd i s c r e t i o n.Theb r e a c ho fa c o ns t i t ut i o na lp r o v i s i o n s ho ul db ec l e a r l ys h o wn a nd t he ne c e s s i t yf o rt he de c l a r a t i o no fnul l i t ys h o ul db ec o mp mpe l l i ng .An yd o ub ts h o ul dt r i g g e rj udi c i a l r e s t r ai nt ,no ti nt e r v e nt i o n.Do ub t ss ho ul db er e s o l v e di nde f e r e nc et ot hewi s d o m andpr e r o g at i v eo fc o e q ualc o ns t i t ut i o nalo r g ans . e r t i o r ar i Thr o u ghape t i t i o nf o rc andm dmandamus wi t hana ppl i c a t i o nf o rat e mp mpo r ar y r e s t r a i ni ngo r d er ,pe t i t i o ne rpr a y st hatweo r d e rt ha tt hel i s to ffic ffic i al l yt r a ns mi mi t t e d by t he Judi c i aland BarCounc i land r ec ei ve d byt heOffic eoft he Pr es i dentbe d i s r e ga r d eda ndi ni t sp l a c eane wo nema dewi t hhi sna me mei nc l ud e d .Thi si swha t heme meanswhenhepra yst hathi sname mebe“ deeme medi nc l uded. ”Hec l ai mst hatt he pr o d uc t i o no fane wl i s ti sma manda t o r yandmi ni s t e r i alo nt hepa r to ft heJudi c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i l . 4 38

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Confli ct si nt henarrat i onoff act s s ho ul dber e s o l v e di nf av o roft hec o ns t i t ut i o nalbo dy

The r ea r ec o n fli c t si nt hea mb mb i e ntf ac t sa sg a t he r e df r o mt hepl e a di ng s . On Mar c h 6,2014,t he Judi c i aland Bar Counci lannounce dt he ope ni ng,f or a ppl i c a t i o nandr e c o mm mme nda t i o n,o ft hepo s i t i o no fAs s o c i at eJus t i c eo ft heSupr e me me Co ur tt ob ev ac a t e dbyAs s o c i a t eJ us t i c eRo b e r t oA.Ab ad .OnMa r c h1 4,2 01 4,t he Co unc i lr e c e i v e dal e t t e rd a t e dMa r c h1 0,2 01 4f r o m De a nDa ni l oCo nc e p c i o no ft he Uni v e r s i t yo ft hePhi l i ppi ne sCo l l e g eo fLa w,no mi mi nat i ngpe t i t i o ne rt ot h epo s i t i o n. TheCo unc i la l s or e c e i v e dal e t t e rda t e dMa r c h1 0,2 01 4f r o m pe t i t i o ne rac c e p t i ng t heno mi mi na t i o n. 1 OnAp r i l2 4,2 01 4,t heCo unc i la nno unc e dt hena me me so fc a nd i d at e st ot hepo s i t i o n, whi c hi nc l ude dpe t i t i o ne r ’ s ,aswe l la st hes c he dul eo ft he i ri nt e r v i e ws .Pe t i t i o ne r wa si nt e r v i e we do nM Ma a y2 9 ,2 01 4. 2 The nt hev e r s i o nso fp e t i t i o ne ra ndr e s p o nd e ntJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i ldi v e r g e . TheCo unc i lal l e ge sasf o l l o ws : 3 7 .Theb as i so ft hec ha l l e ng e ,a sde t a i l e db yt heChi e fJus t i c e ,wa st hee v e nt st ha t t r a ns p i r e di nt heha ndl i ngo ft heRe publ i co ft hePhi l i ppi ne s ’ Me mo mo r i a li nt hec a s e R publ i co ft hePhi l i ppi ne sv .ThePe o pl e ’ sRe publ i co fChi na o o f e fwhi c hPe t i t i o ne r wa st he Phi l i p pi ne a g e nt .The c a s ei n v o l v e dc o mp mp ul s o r ya r b i t r a t i o n und e rt he Uni t ed Nat i onsConv ent i on on t he Law oft he Sea ( UNCLOS)i ni t i at ed by t he Re publ i co ft hePhi l i ppi ne sb ef o r et hePe r ma mane ntCo ur to fAr b i t r at i o n. 4 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 1J ud i c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i lCo mm mme n t ,p .1 . 2 I d. ,atp p.12. 3J ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lSup pl e me me nt a lCo mm mme nt Re p l y ,p p.1 7 . 4 I d. ,c i t i ng PCACas eNo .201319.

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8.Ac c o r d i ngt ohe r ,i nt hePhi l i ppi neMe mo r i al ,t hePe t i t i o ne rde l i be r a t e l ys o ug ht t he e x c l us i o no fa d i s c us s i o no n av e r yi mp o r t a ntph y s i c a lf e a t ur ei nt he We s t Phi l i ppi neSe a.Thi sf e at ur ei st he“ r o c k”r e f e r r e dt oa sI t uAba. ...Thei mpo r t anc e o ft hepar a gr a phst hatt hePe t i t i o ne ri ns t r uc t e dt hei nt e r nat i o nall a wy e r st ode l e t e f r o m t he e nt i r e Phi l i p pi ne c l a i m wi l lb ed i s c us s e di n al a t e rp o r t i o no ft hi s Suppl e me nt alCo mme nt . 9 .I nt hev i e wo ft heChi e fJ us t i c e ,t hi sde l i b er a t er e f us a lt opr o mo t et her e me di e s a v a i l a bl et ot hePhi l i pp i ne s ,b y de l i b e r a t e l ywe a ke ni ngt hec o unt r y ’ sa r g ume nt s , s ho we dt ha tt hePe t i t i o ne rha db e e ndi s l o y a lt ot hec o unt r y . 10.To pro vi de t heot he r JBC Me mbe r sa f act ualbackgr ound,t he Chi e f Jus t i cet ol dt he mt hats hefir s tl e ar ne daboutPe t i t i one r’ sbe havi ourast he Phi l i ppi neage nti nt hec as et hr ough Se ni orAs s oc i at eJus t i c eCar pi o.She t hen conduct ed di s cr e e ti nqui r i eson herown.Whi l et hefinalPhi l i ppi ne Me mo r i ali ncl ude dt hei mpor t antdi s c us s i onpoi ntofI t uAbas hedi s c ove r e d t hatPet i t i oneri ns i s t edupon i t sexcl us i on and wasonl yoverr ul edt hrough t i me l yi nt e r v e nt i o n. 1 1.Af t e rt hi sdi s c us s i o n,Co ng r e s s ma nTupa sma dei to fr e c o r dt ha thewo ul ds t i l l wantt ov o t ef o rPe t i t i o ne r .J us t i c eLa gman,At t y .Me j i aa ndAt t y .Ca y o s al i ke wi s e mani f e s t e dt he i ri nt e nt i o nt ovo t ef o rPe t i t i o ne r ,hadi tno tbe e nf o rt hes e r i o us ne s s o ft hei s s ueo nt heWe s tPhi l i ppi neSe a .The yc ommonl yagre e d on gi vi nghi m an opport uni t yt opre s enthi ss i de.Fo rhi spa r t ,Se na t o rPi me nt e li nq ui r e do n t hede fini t i o no fi nt e gr i t yasc o nt e mpl at e di nSe c t i o n2ofRul e10. 1 2.TheChi e fJus t i c ei ndi c a t e dt ha tb e c a us eo ft hes e r i o us ne s so ft hema t t e rb e i ng r a i s e d ,i two ul db et hefir s tt i met ha ta ny o newo ul db ei nv o ki ngSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e10 , a ndunl e s sadi ffe r e nts c e na r i oe n

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s ue s , s hewo ul dbei nv o ki ngt her ul ea tt hea ppr o p r i a t et i me . 1 3.On1 6J une2 01 4,t heJ BC me ta g ai ni na ne x e c ut i v es e s s i o n.TheChi e fJ us t i c e i nf o r me dt hebo d yt ha ts i nc et he r ewa snoc h ang ei nt hec o ndi t i o nso b t a i ni ngs i nc e t heme e t i ngo n5J une20 14 ,s h ewo ul di nv o k eRul e10wi t hr e s p e c tt oPe t i t i o ne r ’ s no mi na t i o n.Shewa sas k e dwhe t he rt hei nt e g r i t yo b j e c t i o nwo ul dho l dc o ns i de r i ng t hatt he r ewasnopr o o ft ha tt hePe t i t i o ne ro b t a i ne dmo ne yf o rhi sa c t ua t i o ni nt he We s tPhi l i p pi neSe ac a s e .Shee x pl a i ne dhe rp o i nto fv i e wt ha to ne ’ sc a pa c i t ya nd wi l l i ng ne s st o upho l dt he Co ns t i t ut i o n de t e r mi ne si nt e g r i t y .An o b j e c t i o nt o i nt e gr i t ydo e sno tne c e s s a r i l yr e qui r epr o o fo funl a wf ulr e c e i p to fmo ne yi ne x c hang e f o rade c i s i o no ra nac t i o n.Shes t r e s s e dt hato nedo e sno tha v ei nt e gr i t ywhe no nei s no twi l l i ngt opr o t e c tt hei nt e r e s to fo ne ’ sc l i e ntt ot heut mo s t , e s pe c i al l yi nt hi sc as e whe nt hec l i e ntha ppe nst obet heRe p ub l i c .Shes a i dt ha tt hr o ug hhi sa c t ua t i o ns , Pe t i t i o ne rha sde mo ns t r a t e dwe a kne s so fc ha r a c t e r .Shei nf e r r e dt ha thema yha v e b e e nl i s t e ni ngt oe x t r a ne o usf a c t o r so rma yha v ebe e npr o mi s e ds o me t hi ng .Sheal s o s a i ds h eha ds e e nma n yi ns t a nc e swhe r ena t i o n ali nt e r e s t sha db e e nc o mp r o mi s e d b e c a us eo fp e r s o na la g e nd as .She c i t e d he re x p e r i e nc e sa st he Di r e c t o ro ft he I ns t i t ut eofI nt e r nat i o nalLe g alSt udi e si nt heUni v e r s i t yo ft hePhi l i ppi ne s ,whe n s he obs er ve dt he ac t uat i ons ofc er t ai n go ve r nmentoffic i al s .She s aw ho w t he c o unt r y ’ sa bi l i t yt opr o t e c tSc a r bo r o ug hSho a lwasc o mpr o mi s e dbyaf o r e i g na ffa i r s o ffic i a li ne x c ha ng ef o rapo s s i b l eUni t e dNa t i o nspo s i t i o n.Shea l s oo bs e r v e dho w p ub l i co ffic i a l s we r e wi l l i ng t os e et he c o u nt r yl o s ei t sd e f e n s ei nt he t wo i nt e r n at i o na la r b i t r a t i o nc a s e sbr o ug hta ga i ns ti tb yt hec o mpa ni e sFr a po r ta nd Phi l i ppi neI nt e r nat i o nalAi rTe r mi nal sCo . ,I nc . ,al lf o rs o me t hi ngo t he rt handut y t ot heRe pub l i c . 441

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14. Congr es s man Tupas r ai s ed ques t i ons on t he pr ope ri nt er pr e t at i on and appl i c a t i o no fRul e10,Se c t i o n2,ande x t e ns i v edi s c us s i o nso nt her ul ef o l l o we d. 15.I twasfinal l yagree dt hatPet i t i onerwoul dbei nvi t edt oexpl ai nhi ss i de be f or et heJBC ati t sne xtme e t i ng on 30June2014 .Jus t i c eLagman was re ques t ed by t heJBC t o conveyt hi si nvi t at i on t o hi m .I twasal s o agre ed t hatSeni orAs s oci at eJus t i ceCarpi owoul dbei nvi t edt ot henexts es s i onas ar es our ces peaker . 1 6.Be f o r et hes t a r to ft hed i s c us s i o ni nt hee x e c ut i v es e s s i o no n3 0J une2 01 4, c o p i e so fame mo r a ndum f r o mt hePhi l i p pi ne s ’i nt e r na t i o na ll e g a lc o uns e lf o rt he Wes tPhi l i ppi ne Seacas ewer edi s t r i but ed. 143 Thememor andum wassi gned by Mes s r s .PaulRi ec hl erandLawr enc eMar t i n,andwasdat ed19Mar c h2014.Thi s memor andum had ear l i erbee n handed t ot heChi efJus t i c ebySeni orAs s oc i at e Jus t i c eCar p i of o rd i s t r i but i o nt ot heMe mbe r so ft heJBC.... 143 I d. ,c i t i n A g nne xJo ft heCo mme nt . 1 7 .Chi efJus t i ceSere nocl ari fiedatt hest artoft heexecut i veses s i on on 30 June 2014 t hat t he i nvi t at i ons t o Se ni or As s oc i at e Jus t i ce Car pi o and Pe t i t i one rwe r epur s uantt oRul e4,Se ct i ons1( Evi de nc eofI nt e gr i t y )and2 ( Bac kgro und Che c k) ;and Rul e 5,Se ct i ons 1 ( Evi de nc e of Pr obi t y and I nde pe nde nce )and 2 ( Te s t i moni al s ofPr obi t y and I nde pe nde nc e )oft he JBC Rul e s . 18.The Chi e f Jus t i c es ai d t hat s he t ook pai ns t o v al i dat e al lt he i nf ormat i ons hehadobt ai ned,andt hats hewasabl et oconfir m he ri ni t i al i mpres s i ons.Sheel aborat ed t hatt hei ns t ruct i on t oexcl udet hedi sc uss i on co nce r ni ng I t u Aba wasmade by Pe t i t i one r hi ms e l ft ot he Phi l i ppi ne s ’ i nt ernat i onall egalcounse l ,andt hathehadi nsi s t edon t hi spos i t i on upt o t he

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v e r ye nd,whe n hewasove rr ul e d whe nt hePr e s i de nthi ms e l fi nt e r ve ne d. Se c r e t ar y De Li ma t he n e xpl ai ne d t hat s he was not i nvol ve d i n t he pr e par at i onoft heMe mo r i al ,buti nt hel at e rs t age sl e ar ne dt hati twast he col l ect i vedeci s i on oft hePhi l i ppi nel egalt eam nott orai seanydi s cus si on on I t u Aba i nt heMe mor i albutt akei tup dur i ngt heor alar gume nt sasa

. s t r at e gy 1 9 .TheChi efJus t i cere s pondedt hatt heal l egedst rat egywoul dhaveprov en t oo r i s ky , bec aus et he I nt e r nat i onal Tr i bunal may not cal lf or or al ar gume nt s ;ande ve ni fi tdoe s ,i tmaynotal l ow anyar gume ntonamat t e r notr ai s e di nt heMemor i al .Sec r e t aryDeLi mas ai ds hewasnoti nf ormedof s uchri s k. 2 0.The J BC a l s odi s c us s e dt he me d i aa r t i c l e ss p e c u l a t i ng o nt he i s s ue o ft he no mi nat i o no fPe t i t i o ne r .I tl a me nt e dt hef a c tt ha twhi l ei tha ddo nee v e r y t hi ngt o ke e pt heobj e c t i o nag ai ns tt hePe t i t i o ne rc onfide nt i al ,i ts t i l ll e ake do ut .... 21.The Chi e fJus t i ce emphas i z e dt he i nacc ur acy ofme di ar e port st hat Pe t i t i one rwasnoti nf or me d oft heobj e c t i on agai ns thi m,c ons i de r i ngt hat hehad be e ni nf or me d byt heJBC t hr ough Jus t i c eLagman oft hebas i sof t hei nt e gr i t yobj e c t i on. .... 2 3.Af t e ras h o r tb r e a k,t heJBC r e c o n v e ne dupo nt hear r i v a lo fSe ni o rAs s o c i a t e J us t i c eCa r p i ot os he dl i g hto nt hel e g a lme mo r a nd um t ha tha db e e nd i s t r i b ut e d . 6

2 4 . Se n i o r As s o c i a t eJ us t i c e Ca r p i oc o n fir me dt ha tt he e x c l us i o no ft he 1 4 pa r a gr a phdi s c us s i o no n I t uAba f r o mt heMe mo r i a lwo u l dha v eb e e nd e t r i me n t a lt o t hePhi l i ppi nec l a i mi nt heWe s tPhi l i ppi neSe a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6 I d. ,c i t i n A g nne xJo ft heCo mme nt . 443

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c a s e .Heha df o und i ts t r a ng et ha tt hePe t i t i o ne rwo ul d no ti nc l udet hev i t a l1 4 pa r a gr a phswhi c hwe r eal r e a dyi nt heo r i g i na ld r a f ts u bmi t t e db yt hePhi l i pp i ne s ’ i nt e r nat i o na ll a wy e r sMs s r s .Re i c hl e ra ndMar t i n. 25.Att hi spoi nt ,Jus t i c eLagman s ai dt hatupon i nf or mi ngPe t i t i one rt hat I t u Aba wast hes ubj e c toft hei nt e gr i t yi s s ueagai ns thi m,t hePe t i t i one r me nt i oned t hat s ome one t ol d hi m t hat a Ge r man s c hol ar advi s e di t s e xc l us i on.Shei nf or me dt hebodyt hats hec al l e dPe t i t i one ras e condt i met o i nf orm hi m oft hei nvi t at i ont oappearbef oret heJBC f ort hi sday’ ss es si on. 26.Se ni o rAs s o c i at eJus t i c eCar p i oe x pl ai ne dt hati nt hear b i t r a lt r i bunal ,t he r e mi ghtno tbean or alar gument .Thet r i bunalwoul d wonderwhyt hePhi l i ppi nes wo ul dno ti nc l ud I et uAba.Mo r e o v e r ,heo p i ne dt ha tt he r ec o ul do nl ybeo n eGe r ma n s c ho l a rr e f e r r e dt obyt hePe t i t i o ne r ,Pr o f e s s o rTa l man,whowr o t ei nhi swo r kt ha t I t u Aba t het r i b una ld o e sno tha v ej ur i s d i c t i o no v e rt hec a s eb e c a us e wasne ve r r a i s e dno rme nt i o ne db yt hePhi l i ppi ne si ni t se ar l i e rpl e adi ng s .Hes t r e s s e dt hati t was kno wn i nt he i nt er nat i onalc ommuni t yt hat Pr of es s or Tal man has bee n e ng ag e db yChi nat owr i t ef o ri ta ndt op r o mo t ei t sc aus e .

2 7 .Se ni o rAs s o c i at eJ us t i c eCa r pi of o und i ti ne x pl i c a bl et ha tt hePe t i t i o ne rha d i ns t r uc t e dt hee xc l us i o no I ft uAba f r o mt heMe mo r i a l ,e v e nwhe ni t si nc l us i o nwa s al r e a dys t r o ng l yadv i s e db yt hebe s ti nt e r nat i o nall a wy e r s . .... 2 9.Pe t i t i o ne rwa sc a l l e dt of a c et heJ BCi nt hea f t e r no o no ft hes a meda y .TheChi e f J us t i c ea c k no wl e d g e da nd t ha nk e d Pe t i t i o ne rf o rhi sp r e s e nc e .Shei nf o r me dt he Pe t i t i o ne rt ha tt heJBCwo ul dl i ket opr o p o undq ue s t i o nso nt hef o l l o wi ngi s s ue s : ( a ) Hi sa c t ua t i o nsi nha nd l i ngt heWe s tPhi l i p pi neSe ac a s e ; 444

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....

.Pe 30 t i t i one r ,i nr e s pons e ,r e i t e r at e d hi s pr ay e ri nt he af or e me nt i one d l e t t e r pet i t i on and as ked t he JBC t o de f e ri t s me e t i ng, s i nce he was e xpe ct i ng t heSupr e meCour tEn Banc,whi c h woul d beme e t i ng t hene xt day,t oacton hi sl et t erpet i t i on.Speci fical l y,hedemanded t hatt heChi ef Jus t i cee xe c ut eas wor ns t at e me ntofhe robj e c t i ons ,andt hathemus thave t heri ghtt ocr os s exami neheri n a publ i cheari ng.Hei ndi cat ed t hatt he s ame s houl d al s o be r e qui r e d of Se ni or As s oc i at e Jus t i c e Carpi o. Congre s s man Tupas i ndi c at e dt hat he want e dt o he ar f or hi ms e l ft he e xpl anat i on ofPe t i t i one r ,butt hel at t e rr e f us e d.Pe t i t i one rf ur t he rs t at e d t hathewoul dnotbel ul l edi nt owai vi nghi sr i ght s .Het henputonre cor da St at e me nt 7appeal i ngt hatt heJBC “ s t ayt hei rhand”t hatdayand l e tt he f ul lSupr e meCour taddr e s st hei s s ueofwhatpr oc e s swasduehi m. 3 1 .Af t e ra o n e mi nut et a l k wi t h Co n gr e s s ma n Tup as ,Pe t i t i o n e rga v e hi sfina l r emar ksandaske dt obee xc us edf r om t hese s s i on.Congre s s manTupassai dt hat Pe t i t i o ne rwa sunwi l l i ngt oans we ra nyo ft heJ BC’ sq ue s t i o ns .

3 2.TheJBC mo v e do nt odi s c us st heno mi mi na t i o nl i s ta nduna ni mo us l yag r e e dt ha t Pe t i t i o ne r ’ snamewo ul ds t i l lbepar to ft hebal l o t . 3 3.Thev o t i ngr e s ul t e di n as ho r tl i s to ft hef o l l o wi ngc a ndi da t e s :Apo l i na r i oD. Br us e l as ,Jr .wi t hs i x( 6 )v o t e s ;J o s eC.Re y e swi t hs i x( 6 )v o t e s ;Ma r i aGr a c i aM. Pul i do Ta nwi t hfiv e( 5 )v o t e s ; a ndRe y na l doB.Da wa ywi t hf o ur( 4 )v o t e s . 3 4.TheJBC a gr e e dt ha twhi l ePe t i t i o ne rg a r ne r e df o ur( 4 )v o t e s ,hec o ul dno tb e i nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s t _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7 I d. ,c i t i n A g nne xFo ft heCo mme nt ;al s omar ke dasAnne xCo ft hePe t i t i o n. 445

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b e c aus eo fa ni nv o c a t i o no fRul e1 0,Se c t i o n2o ft heJ BCRul e s . 3 5.At t y . Ca y o s ai nf o r me me dt heJBCt ha twhi l es heha dpr e v i o us l yv o t e df o rPe t i t i o ne r i nv a r i o uspo s i t i o nsf o rwhi c hhewa sac a ndi da t e ,s h ec o ul dno tv o t ef o rhi mt hi s t i me .Shes t a t e dt hats hehada l s os t udi e d,i nv e s t i g at e da ndv al i da t e dt hei s s u e s r a i s e dag ai ns tPe t i t i o ne r...o nho w heha ndl e dt heWe We s tPhi l i ppi neSe ac a s e .She s a i dt hatt hi si nv e s t i g at i o nhadc a s ts e r i o usdo ubt so nhi si nt e gr i t y .Shewo ul dha v e want ed t o hear hi s ex pl anat i on or r es ponse t ot hese i s s ues t oo ve r c ome me t he c hal l e ng et ohi si nt e gr i t y ;buts a dl y ,hehadi ns i s t e dt hata l lc hal l e ng e sbeputi n wr i t i nge v eni ft odos oma ma yaffe c tnat i o nali nt e r e s t . 3 6.Fi na l l y ,t or e f ut et hec l a i mo fPe t i t i o ne ri nhi sRe pl yda t e d1 5Aug us t2 01 4t hat hed i dno tr e c e i v eac o p yo fAnne x“ J ”o ft heCo mm mme ntd at e d11Aug us t2 01 4,whi c h i st hel e g a lme mo mo r a ndum a ddr e s s e dt oPe t i t i o ne ra ndSe c .Al b e r tde lRo s a r i oda t e d 1 9Ma r c h2 01 4o fFo l e yHo Ho a gLLP ,t hei nt e r na t i o na ll e g a lc o uns e lo ft heRe p ub l i co f t he Phi l i ppi nes i n Phi l i ppi ne sv . Chi na, 8 at t ac hed as Anne x “ D” t ot hi s

Suppl eme ment alComm mment Repl yi san affid ffidavi to fper s onals er vi c ec onfir mi ngt hat Pe t i t i o n e rwa sd ul yf ur ni s he dAnne x“ J , ”ame me mo mo r a nd um t ha theha sha ds i nc e1 9 Ma r c h2 01 4.( Emp ha s i sa ndund e r s c o r i ngs u pp l i e d ) 9

Pe t i t i o ne r ,o nhi spa r t ,c l a i mst ha twhi l ehewa si nf o r me me db yJ us t i c eLa gma no ft he i nt e gr i t yo bj e c t i o n,hewa wasgi v e nv er yl i t t l ei nf o r ma mat i o n: 1 .Thea c t so fr e s p o nd e ntChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e noi nt hee v e nt sl e a di ngup t oa nd dur i ngt hev o t eo nt hes h o r tl i s to nJ une3 0,2 01 4s h o w apr e me me d i t a t e d _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 8 I d. ,c i t i ngPCACas eNo .201319. I d. 9 ,atpp.27 . 446

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andpe r s i s t e ntpat t e r no fe x c l us i o no nt hepe t i t i o ne r . 2 F .i r s t ,on16and17June2014,pet i t i onerwasi nf or medbyJBC memb mberJus t i c e Aur o r a S.Lag man,t hr o ug h a pho nec al l ,t hatr e s po nde ntChi e fJus t i c eSe r e no di r e c t e dt ha tpe t i t i o ne rma ma kehi ms e l f“ a v ai l a bl e ”t oa ppe a rbe f o r et he mo n3 0J une 2 01 4.Pe t i t i o ne rwa sal s oi nf o r me me dt hatChi e fJus t i c eSe r e n oi nv o ke dSe c t i o n2 ,Rul e 1 0o fJ BC0 09a ga i ns thi ma tt he i rJ une5andJ une1 6me me e t i ng s .J us t i c eLa g ma ma n s t a t e d ,wi t ho utde t ai l ,t hatt he o b j e c t i o nsha dt odowi t h hi swo r ka s So l i c i t o r Ge ne r a l ,b utt hatChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e nowi l lbet heo net oi nf o r m hi mo fhe ro b j e c t i o n t ohi si nt e gr i t y ,a tt he30J une20 14me e t i ng P . e t i t i o ne rwasne v e rf o r mal l yno t i fie d i n wr i t i ngo ft heal l e g at i o nsag ai ns thi m .Thi s ,no t wi t hs t a nd i ngt ha tr e s po nde nt

Chi e fJ ust i c e Se r e no ha da l r e a d yb e e nc a mp mp ai g ni ng a ga i ns tpe t i t i o n e ra tt he p r e v i o u sJ BCme e t i ng so fJ une5a nd1 6,2 0 14 . 3.Se c o n d,pe t i t i o ne r ’ sl e t t e r pe t i t i o n fil e db ef o r et heSupr e me meCo ur to n2 5 June 2 0 14 ,o rfi ve( 5 )d a y sbe f o r et he3 0J une2 0 14he a r i ngo ft heJ BC,wa sno ta c t e d up o nb yr e s p o nd e ntChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e nowhoc o nt r o l st hes c he d ul i ngo ft he En Banc me me e t i ng sa nda ge nd a.Thus ,t her e l i e f s— whi c ha r eb a s e do nt heJ BC’ so wn r u l e s— p r a y e df o rb yp e t i t i o ne r ,i nc l ud i ng ,a mo mo ng o t he r s ,a wr i t t e n no t i c e c o nt a i ni ngt hes wo r ns p e c i fic a t i o nso ft hec ha r g e sag ai ns thi mb yhi so ppo s i t o r s ,t he s wo r ns t a t e me me nt so fs up po r t i ng wi t ne s s e s ,i fa n y ,a nd c o p i e so fd o c u me me nt si n s up po r to ft hec ha r g e s ,we r emo mo o t e dandma dea c a de mi mi cp ur s ua ntt ot heHo Ho no r a b l e Co ur t ’ sRe s o l ut i o nd at e d0 8J ul y2 01 4 P . e t i t i o ne rappe ar e d be f o r et heJBC o n 30 June2014wi t hv e r yl i t t l ei nf o r mat i o nc o nc e r ni ngt heo bj e c t i o nsag ai ns thi si nt e g r i t y. Al lt hathec o ul dg at he rwast hati thadt odowi t hhi swo r kasSo l i c i t o rGe ne r al . 4.Thi r d,d ur i ngt he3 0J une2 01 4me e t i ng ,pe t i t i o ne rwa si nf o r me me db ySe c r e t a r yo f J us t i c eLe i l aM.de 447

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Li ma,j ustbe f or et he JBC s umm mmoned hi m at2: 00 PM,t hatAs s oc i at e Just i c e Ant o ni oT.Car pi ot e s t i fie d ag ai ns thi m “ abo utwo r k. ”A “ v e r yc o nfide nt i all e g al me mo mo r a ndum t ha tc l a r i fie sa ndc o nc r e t i z e st hei nt e g r i t yo b j e c t i o nt ha tt heChi e f J us t i c er ai s e da ga i ns tpe t i t i o ne r ”wa sa l l e g e dl y di s t r i b ut e d.Pe t i t i o ne r wa s no t i nf o r me da bo utt hee x i s t e n c eo fs uc h me mo mo r a nd um no rf ur ni s he dac o p yt he r e o f . When Chi efJust i c e Ser eno as ked pet i t i oner i fhe want ed t o def end hi ms el f , pe t i t i o ne rwasc o mp mpe l l e dt or e i t e r a t ehi sr e q ue s tf o rduepr o c e s saspr a y e df o ri nhi s l e t t e r pe t i t i o n.Re pr e s e nt at i v e[ Ni e l ]Tupas ,Jr .al s oas ke dpe t i t i o ne ri fhewant e dt o de f e ndhi ms e l f .Pe t i t i o ne ra ns we r e dhec a nno tde f e ndhi ms e l funl e s sh i sd uepr o c e s s r i g ht swe r eg r ant e d.Pe t i t i o ne ra l s os ub mi mi t t e di nt ot h er e c o r daSt at e me me nt ,whi c h wa sa g ai n ap l e af o rd uepr o c e s s I . ns t e ad o fhe e di nghi sr e que s t ,r e s po nde ntJBC

c o ns i de r e d pe t i t i o ne r ’ sr e f us a lt oe x p l ai n asa wai v e ro fhi sr i g htt oans we rt he uns p e c i fie dal l e g a t i o ns . The3 0June2 0 14me me e t i ngl a s t e dab o utt e n( 1 0)mi nut e s . F ur t h,t 5 .o heJBC r e l e a s e dt hes ho r tl i s to fno mi mi ne e so nt hes a me meda y .I ti saf a c t t ha tpe t i t i o n e ro b t a i ne d a ma j o r i t yo ff o ur v o t e s— t he s a me me numbe ro fv o t e s obt ai ned by Judge Re ynal do B.Daway — e ve n af t err es pondentChi efJust i c e Se r e n oa ndJ us t i c eCa r pi opr e s e nt e dt he i ro b j e c t i o ns P . e t i t i o ne r ,ho we v e r ,wasno t i nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s t ,de s p i t ehi spl e af o ri tt os t a yi t shandandpr o v i dehi mr e al o ppo r t uni t yt obehe a r d. 6 .Cl e a r l y ,t he ma nne rb y whi c hp e t i t i o ne rwa sg i v e no nl yv e r b aln o t i c eo ft he a l l e g a t i o nsag ai ns thi ma ndf o r c e dt oa ns we ro nt hes po ts a i da l l e g a t i o nss ho wsa pr e me me di t a t e dandpe r s i s t e ntpat t e r no fe x c l us i o nt ha td e pr i v e dhi mo far e a s o na bl e o p p o r t uni t yt o mo u nta me a ni ng f uld e f e n s e .I ti sa f a c tt ha tno c o mp mp l a i ntor o p po s i t i o n wa s fil e da ga i ns tp e t i t i o ne raf t e rt hepub l i cha db e e n no t i fie do fh i s no mi mi na t i o n.Noo pp o s i t i o nwa sr a i s e dag ai ns thi md ur i nghi spub l i ci nt e r v i e wo n2 9 Ma y20 14 .I twa so nl yo n1 6a nd1 7J une2 01 4,o rs h o r t l ybe f o r et he 448

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fina ld e l i b e r a t i o no nt he s h o r tl i s t ,t ha tp e t i t i o ne r wa sv e r b al l y no t i fie do f r e s p o nde ntChi e fJ us t i c e Se r e no ’ so b j e c t i o na g ai ns thi si nt e g r i t y ,a nd wi t h no de t ai l satt hat .Theo bj e c t i o nsag ai ns thi m we r et he r e f o r ef o i s t e dpas tt hepe r i o df o r fil i ng o b j e c t i o ns t o hi sno mi mi na t i o n — a mo v ec a l c ul a t e dt od e p r i v e hi m o ft he o p po r t uni t yt opr o p e r l yr e s p o ndi na c c o r da nc ewi t ht heJ BC’ so wnr u l e s .Ev e nhi s pl e af o rr e l i e fb ef o r et heHo Ho no r a bl eCo ur t ,asal as tr e s o r t ,wasr e nde r e dus e l e s sdue t ot hema ma l i c i o uss c he me mee mp mpl o y e db yr e s po nde ntChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e no . 7 .De p r i v e do faf o r ma lno t i c ede t a i l i ngt heuns p e c i fie da l l e g a t i o nsa ga i ns thi m, c oupl ed wi t h t he l ac k of r eas onabl et i me t o pr epar ef or hi s def ense ,t he

c i r c ums ms t ance s under whi c h pe t i t i oner was pl ac ed pat ent l y demo mons t r at e a pr e me me d i t a t e da nd pe r s i s t e ntpa t t e r nt or a i l r o a dt her e j e c t i o no fhi sno mi mi na t i o n. Wi t ho utha v i ngb e e n pr e v i o us l yi nf o r me me do ft hes p e c i ficde t a i l so ft hea c c us a t i o n a ga i ns t hi m,p e t i t i o n e r ha do n l yt wo o p t i o ns — e i t he rt op ar t i c i p at ei nt he pr oc ee di ng unar med wi t h i nf or mat i on and r i s kl os i ng hi sc as ef or l ac k of o ppo r t uni t yt opr e s e nts t r o ngc o unt e r v ai l i nge vi de nc e ,o rr e f us et opar t i c i pat ei nt he pr oc ee di ng and be es t opped f r om c l ai mi ng he wasdeni ed an oppor t uni t yt obe he a r d.Ei t he rwa y ,p e t i t i o ne rwa sc a ug hti nad i l e mm mmawhi c he ffe c t i v e l yd e pr i v e d hi mo fa nyr e a lo p po r t uni t yt ob ehe a r d . 8.Ev e nno w,pe t i t i o ne ri ske pti nt hedar kast ot hede t ai l so ft heo bj e c t i o nag ai ns t hi m whi c ha l l e g e dl ype r t a i nst o“ av e r yi mpo r t a nts p e c i ficc a s ef o rt heRe p ub l i c . ” Pe t i t i o n e rwa sno t ,a nd ha sno tb e e n,f ur ni s he dac o pyo fAnne x“ J ”o ft heJ BC Co mm mme nt .I f ,i nde e d,t heo bj e c t i o nt ope t i t i o ne r ’ si nt e gr i t yr e l at e st oamat t e ro f hi g he s ti mpo r t a nc e ,t he r ei sa ne v e ngr e a t e rr e a s o nt odi s c l o s et hea l l e g at i o nsi n publ i c .Co nc e a l i ngt hede t ai l so ft he s eal l e g at i o nsamo unt st oi r r e s po ns i bl er umo r mo ng e r i ngwhi c hma xi mi z e spe t i t i o ne r ’ si na bi l i t yt ode f e ndhi ms e l f . 449

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9.Pe t i t i o ne ras s ume st hatt heo bj e c t i o nag ai ns thi mi sr e l at e dt ot hec o nduc to fhi s o ffic ffic i a lf unc t i o nsa sSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lo ft heRe p ub l i c .TheJBC Co mm mme ntv a g ue l y r e f e r st oanal l e g ed“ i nabi l i t yt odi s c har g et hedut yo ft heSo l i c i t o rGe Ge ne r a l ”o n“ a ma t t e ro fhi g he s ti mp o r t a nc e ”r e l a t i ngt ot he“ wa yheha nd l e dav e r yi mp o r t a nt s pe c i ficc a s ef o rt heRe publ i c . ”Het he r e f o r efindsi ti ngr o s sv i o l at i o no fhi sr i g ht st o d uep r o c e s sbe c a us e ,whi l ehi spr i nc i p al si nt heEx e c ut i v eDe De p ar t me nth a v eno t s o u ghti tfitt oc o mpl a i n,muc hl e s ss a nc t i o nhi mi na nywa yf o rh i so ffic ffic i a lc o nduc t “ o nav e r yi mpo r t a nts p e c i ficc a s ef o rt heRe pub l i c , ”t wome me mb mb e r so ft heJud i c i a r y , whoar ei nnowa yhi ss upe r v i s o r so rp r i nc i pa l s ,ha v ef o undr e a s o nst oo bj e c tt ohi s

no mi mi na t i o no nt heba s i so fwha tc a no nl yb ec o ns i d e r e ds e c o nd ha ndi nf o r ma t i o n. ( Emphas i si nt heo r i g i nal ) 10

Ho we v e r ,pe t i t i o ne r ,i nhi sr e pl y ,admi t st oha v ebe e ni nf o r me me do ft hei nt e gr i t yi s s ue a ga i ns thi ma tl e a s ti mme di a t e l ya f t e rt hee x e c u t i v es e s s i o n.Unt i lt hi sc a s ewa s d e l i b e r a t e db yt hi sc o ur t ,heha sno tg i v e na ny s u ffic ffic i e nte x p l a na t i o na bo utt he s ub s t anc eo ft hec h ar g e s .Ne i t he rha shei nf o r me me dt hi sc o ur tt ha thewi l lno tdos o i nv i e wo fanypr i v i l e g eshewi s he st oav ai l . Hi sc l ai mt hathewasg i v e nv e r yl i t t l ei nf o r ma mat i o nabo utt hei nt e gr i t yo bj e c t i o ni s c o n t r a r yt ot hes t a t e me me ntofJ us t i c eLa g ma ma n whod i s c l o s e dd ur i ngt heJune3 0 , 2014s e s s i o nt hef o l l o wi ng : Att hi spo i nt ,Jus t i c eLagmans ai dt hatupo ni nf o r mi ngPe t i t i o ne rt hat I I t uAbawas t he s u bj e c to ft he i nt e g r i t yi s s ue a g ai ns thi m,t he Pe t i t i o ne r me nt i o ne dt ha t s o me o n et o l dhi mt ha taGe Ge r ma ns c ho l a ra dv i s e di t se x c l us i o n.Shei nf o r me dt he bo dyt ha ts hec a l l e dPe t i t i o ne ras e c o nd _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 10 Pe t i t i o ne r ’ sRe pl y ,pp.14. 450

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t i met oi nf o r m hi mo ft hei nv i t at i o nt oappe arb e f o r et heJBCf o rt hi sd ay ’ s s e s s i o n. 11

Thef ac t ualc l ai mso fp e t i t i o ne rr e l at i ngt ot hee x t e nto ft hei nf o r mat i o ng i v e nt o hi m we r es uffic i e nt l yt r a v e r s e di nt hepl e a di ng so ft heJud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l .We mus tpr e s umet ha tt heCo unc i l ’ smi nut e sc o nt a i nst het r uenar r at i o no ff a c t sunl e s s pr o v e no t he r wi s eb ype t i t i o ne r .Thi si st ogi v ede f e r e nc et oac o ns t i t ut i o nalbo dyi n r e l at i o nt oi t sdi s c har g eo fi t soffic i alf unc t i o ns . On t he a f t e r no o no ft he s a me d a y ,t he J ud i c i a la n d Ba rCo u nc i lc o n t i nue di t s de l i b e r a t i o nsa ndpr o c e e d e dt ov o t ef o rt heno mi ne e s .Al lme mb e r so ft heCo unc i l we r epr e s e nt .The r e a f t e r ,t heCo unc i lr e l e as e di t sl i s to fno mi ne e s ,whi c hi nc l ude d: Co ur to fAppe a l sJus t i c eApo l i na r i oD.Br us e l aswi t hs i x( 6)v o t e s ,Co ur to fAppe a l s J us t i c eJo s eC.Re y e swi t hs i x( 6 )v o t e s ,Co mmi s s i o no nAud i tCha i rMa r i aGr a c i a M.Pul i d o Ta n wi t h fiv e( 5 )v o t e s ,a nd Re g i o n alTr i a lCo u r tJ ud g e Re y n a l d o B. Da wa ywi t hf o ur( 4)v o t e s . 1 2 Thec o mmuni c a t i o nt ot heOffic eo ft hePr e s i d e ntr e a d s : J une3 0 ,2 0 14 Hi sEx c e l l e nc y Pr e s i d e ntBe n i g noSi me o nC.Aq ui noI I I Mal ac añang Mani l a Thr u:At t y . Paq ui t oN.Oc ho a Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar y ,Offic eo ft hePr e s i de nt Yo urEx c e l l e nc y : Pur s uantt oAr t i c l eVI I I ,Se c t i o n9o ft heCo ns t i t ut i o n,t heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l ( J BC)ha st heho no rt o

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

1 1J ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lSup pl e me nt a lCo mme nt Re p l y ,p .5 . 1 2 Pe t i t i o n,p.5andJudi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lCo mme nt ,p . 3 . 451

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s ub mi tt hef o l l o wi ngno mi na t i o n sf o rt hep o s i t i o no fASSOCI ATE J USTI CE o ft he SUPREME COURT( v i c e Ho n.Ro b e r t oA.Ab ad ) ,a c c o r d i ngt ot henumb e ro fv o t e s , p e rt heJ BCMi nut e so fe v e nda t e : 1 .BRUSELAS,Ap o l i na r i oJ r .D.-6v o t e s 2 .REYES,J o s eJ r .C.-6v o t e s 3.PULI DOTAN,Mar i aGr ac i aM.-5vo t es 4 .DAWAY,Re y n a l d oB.-4v ot e s The i rr e s p e c t i v ec ur r i c ul um v i t aea r ehe r e t oa t t ac he d. Ve r yt r ul yy o ur s , [ Or i g i nals i g ne d] MARI ALOURDESP.A.SERENO ExOffic i o Chi e fJ us t i c e& Cha i r p e r s o n

[ Or i g i nals i g ne d] MARI AMI LAGROSN.FERNANCAYOSA Me mbe r 13

Thet r a ns mi t t all e t t e rwass i g ne db yal lt hec ur r e n tme mbe r so ft heJ udi c i alandBar Co unc i l .The r ewasnodi s s e nt .Thel i s ts ub mi t t e dc o ns i s t e do ff o urname s .I twa s c l e a rt ha tt heJudi c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i luna ni mo us l ya gr e e d no tt ot r a ns mi tt he nameo fpe t i t i o ne r . OnJ ul y8,2 01 4,t hec o u r E t nBanc i s s ue dar e s o l ut i o nwhi c ho nl yno t e dpe t i t i o ne r ’ s l e t t e r pe t i t i o no nt hegr o undo f _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 13 Anne xDo fPe t i t i o nandAnne xH o fCo mme nt . 452

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mo o t ne s si nv i e wo ft het r a ns mi t t a lo ft hel i s to fno mi ne e st ot heOffic eo ft he Pr e s i de nt . 14 On J ul y1 8,2 01 4,pe t i t i o ne rfil e dt hi spe t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar i andmandamus wi t h t hi sc o ur t ,wi t ha na ppl i c a t i o nf o rt hei s s ua nc eo fat e mpo r a r yr e s t r ai ni ngo r de r , a g ai ns tChi e fJ us t i c e Se r e no ,t he J ud i c i a la nd Ba r Co unc i l ,a nd t he Ex e c ut i v e Se c r e t a r yPa q ui t oN.Oc ho a .Hepr a y st ha tChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e noandt heJud i c i a l a ndBa rCo unc i lb ef o undt oha v eac t e di ng r a v ea bus eo fd i s c r e t i o na ndt ha tt he Co unc i lb eo r d e r e dt oi nc l ud e hi sna me i nt he s h o r tl i s to fc a nd i d at e sf o rt he po s i t i o no fAs s o c i at eJus t i c e .Hea l s opr a y st ha tat e mpo r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r d e rbe i s s ue da ga i ns tt he Pr e s i de nt ,t hr o ug ht he Ex e c ut i v e Se c r e t a r y ,t o de s i s tf r o m appo i nt i nganAs s o c i at eJus t i c ep endi ngt hede t e r mi nat i o no fhi sp e t i t i o n. 15 Whi l ehi sl e t t e randhi spe t i t i o nwe r epe ndi ng ,i ta ppe a r e dt hatp e t i t i o ne rha db e e n i s s ui ngs t at e me nt st ot heme di ade f e ndi nghi sa c t i o nsi nt hi sc o ur t . 16 Thei s s ue si nt hi sc a s ear ea sf o l l o ws :

Pr ocedur al :

1 .Whe t he rawr i to fc e r t i o r ar i ma yi s s u ea ga i ns tt hepr o c e e di ng so ft heJudi c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i l . 2 .Whe t he rt her e me d yofmandamus ma yl i eag ai ns tt heac to ft heJudi c i a landBa r Co unc i l . 3 .Whe t he rat e mp o r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r d e rma ybei s s ue dag a i ns tape r i o dma nd at e d b yt heCo ns t i t ut i o n. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 14 Anne xH o fCo mme nt .Seeal s oRe :No mi nat i o no fSo l i c i t o rGe ne r alFr anc i sH. Jar de l e z af o rt hePo s i t i o no fAs s o c i at eJus t i c eVac at e dbyJus t i c eRo be r t oA.Abad, A. M. No .140701SCJBC,Jul y15,2014[ uns i gne dr e s o l ut i o n E , nBanc ] .

e r t i o r ar i 15 Pe t i t i o nf o rc andmandamus ,pp.1213. 16 Se ef o re x a mp l eAv e n da ño ,Chr i s t i ne .“ A fir s t :So l Ge na s k sSC t ob a rChi e f Jus t i c e

f r o m

v o t i ng, ” Phi l i ppi ne

Dai l y

I nqui r e r, June

26, 2014

,l as tac c e s s e dAug us t27 ,2014. 453

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Subs t ant i ve:

1 .Whe t he rt hes u pe r v i s o r yp o we ro ft hi sc o ur to v e rt heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l i nc l ude sac t sdo nei nt hee xe r c i s eofi t sdi s c r e t i o n. 2 .Whe t he rpe t i t i o ne r ’ sr i g htt oduepr o c e s swa sv i o l a t e db yt heJ udi c i a la ndBa r Co unc i l . Pe t i t i o n e ra r g ue st ha tChi e fJ u st i c e Se r e n oa nd t he J ud i c i a la nd Ba r Co u nc i l c o mmi t t e dg r a v ea b us eo fd i s c r e t i o nwhe nhi sn amewa se x c l ud e df r o mt hefina ll i s t o fno mi ne e s .Hear g ue st ha th i sr i g htt oduepr o c e s swa sv i o l a t e dwhe na c c us a t i o ns a ga i ns thi si nt e g r i t ywe r ema det wi c e e , xpar t e ,b yChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e nowi t ho ut g i v i nghi ma no p po r t uni t yt ob ehe a r d .Hea r g ue st ha tRul e4o fJ BC0 09al l o wsh i m t oc o n f r o n thi sac c us e r spub l i c l y ,a ndt her e f us a lo fChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e n oa ndt he Judi c i alandBarCo unc i lc o ns t i t ut e sgr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o n. 17 Hea l s oar g ue st ha tChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e no ’ si nt e r p r e t at i o no fRul e10 ,Se c t i o n2o f J BC0 09g o e sag ai ns tt hec o l l e g i a lc h ar a c t e ro ft heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i ls i nc e “ t hel o neo b j e c t o rwi l lb ema dec o mp l e t e l yc a pa bl eo ft a ki ng ho s t a get hee nt i r e v o t i ngpr o c e s s ,o nl yb yt hee xpe di e nto fo b j e c t i ng . ” 1 8Hear g ue st ha ts i nc ehewa s

a bl et og ar ne rf o ur( 4)v o t e s ,t hes a meast ha to ft r i alc o u r tJ udg eDa wa y ,hi sna me s ho ul dha v ebe e ni nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s t . 19 I nhi sc o mme nt ,Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r yOc ho aag r e e swi t hpe t i t i o ne r ’ sa r g ume nt sa nd a r g ue st ha tRul e1 0,Se c t i o n 2o fJ BC0 09 i sunc o ns t i t ut i o na la si ti mpa i r st he c o l l e g i alnat ur eo ft heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l . 20Heal s opr a y st hatpe t i _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 17 I d. ,atp p.67 . 18 I d. ,atp.9. 19 I d. ,atp .10. 2 0 Co mme nto ft heEx e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r y , pp.1 3 . 454

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t i o ne r ’ sna mebede e me di nc l ude di nt hes ho r tl i s to fno mi ne e s . 2 1 TheJud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l ,o nt heo t he rha nd ,a r g u e st ha tc e r t i o r ar i wi l lno tl i e s i nc et hepr o c e e di ng so ft heCo unc i lar ene i t he rj udi c i alno rquas i j udi c i al . 22I ta l s o a r g ue st ha tt her e me d yo fmandamus i si nc o r r e c ts i nc et her e me dydo e sno tl i et o c o mpe ladi s c r e t i o nar yac t . 23 TheCo unc i la r g u e st ha tp e t i t i o ne rwa sno td e pr i v e do fd uep r o c e s ss i nc ehewa s gi ve n e ve r y oppor t uni t yt o be hear d. 24 The Counc i l al s o ar gues t hat i t s i nt e r pr e t at i o no fRul e10,Se c t i o n2wasc o r r e c ts i nc ee v e ni fChi e fJus t i c eSe r e no ’ s v o t ewe r ee x c l ude d,pe t i t i o ne rs t i l lne e de dfiv e( 5)v o t e s ,no tf o ur( 4) ,t obei nc l ude d i nt hes ho r tl i s t . 2 5I tar g ue st hatpe t i t i o ne rv i o l at e dt hepr o hi bi t i o no nc o nfli c to f i nt e r e s tr e pr e s e nt at i o n.I tal l e g est hatpe t i t i o ne rus e dt heOffic eoft heSo l i c i t o r Ge ne r a lt opur s ueapur e l ypr i v at ei nt e r e s ti nv i o l a t i o no fRul e15 . 03o ft heCo deo f

Pr o f e s s i o nalRe s po ns i bi l i t y .I tal s oar g ue st hatpe t i t i o ne r , b ys ui ngi nhi sc a pac i t yas aSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a l ,ha sal l o we das i t ua t i o nwhe r ehebe c a met hepe t i t i o ne ra gai ns t hi so wn c l i e nt s ,d e s p i t et he f a c tt ha tt he l a w e s t a bl i s h e sa na t t o r ne y c l i e nt r e l a t i o ns h i pb e t we e nt he m. 2 6 The Counc i lal s o ar gues t hatpet i t i onerhas no ts hown any r i ghtt hatmay be p r o t e c t e db yt he i s s ua nc eo fa t e mp o r a r yr e s t r a i ni ng o r d e r .I tar g ue st ha ta t e mpo r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r de rc a nno tb eus e dt or e s t r ai nac o ns t i t ut i o na lmandat e . 2 7 Iv o t et ode nyt hepe t i t i o n. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 21 I d. ,atp.4. 2 2J ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lCo mme nt ,p p.4 5 . 23 I d. ,atp p.57 . 24 I d. ,atp p.710. 25 I d. ,atp .11 . 26 I d. ,atpp.1116. 27 I d. ,a tp p1 72 0. 455

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The J ud i c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i li sa f ul l yi nd e pe nd e ntc o ns t i t ut i o n alb o dy whi c h f unc t i o nsa sac he c ko nt hePr e s i de nt ’ spo we ro fa ppo i nt me nt .Thehi s t o r i c a lc o nt e x t o fi t sc r e a t i o nha sb e enpr e v i o us l ypa s s e dupo nb yt hi sc o ur ti n Cha v e zv .Judi c i al andBarCounc i l : 28

Lo ngb e f o r et hena i s s a nc eo ft hepr e s e ntCo ns t i t ut i o n,t heannal so fhi s t o r ybe a r wi t ne s st ot hef a c tt ha tt hee x e r c i s eo fa ppo i nt i ngme mb e r so ft heJ ud i c i a r yha s a l wa y sb e ent hee x c l us i v epr e r o g at i v eo ft hee x e c u t i v ea ndl e g i s l a t i v eb r a nc he so f t he g o v e r nme n t .Li k et he i rp r o g e n i t o ro fAme r i c a no r i g i ns ,b o t ht he Ma l o l o s Cons t i t ut i on and t he 1935 Cons t i t ut i on had ve s t ed t he power t o appoi nt t he member s of t he Judi c i ary i nt he Pr es i dent ,s ubj ec tt oc onfir mat i on by t he Co mmi s s i o no nAp po i nt me n t s .I twa sd ur i ngt he s et i me st ha tt hec o u nt r ybe c a me wi t ne s st ot he d e pl o r a bl ep r a c t i c eo fa s p i r a nt ss e e k i ng c o nfir ma t i o no ft he i r a pp o i nt me nti nt heJ ud i c i a r yt oi ng r a t i a t et he ms e l v e swi t ht heme mb e r so ft he l e gi s l at i v ebo dy . Then, wi t h t he f us i on of e xe c ut i ve and l egi s l at i ve power under t he 1973 Co ns t i t ut i o n,t hea ppo i nt me nto fj udg e sa ndj us t i c e swa snol o ng e rs ub j e c tt ot he s c r ut i n yo fano t he rb o dy .I twa sab s o l ut e ,e x c e p tt ha tt heappo i nt e e smus tha v eal l t heq ual i fic a t i o nsa ndno neo ft hedi s q ual i fic a t i o ns . Pr o mp t e db yt hec l a mo rt or i dt hep r o c e s so fa pp o i nt me nt st ot heJ ud i c i a r yf r o m po l i t i c a lpr e s s ur ea nd p ar t i s a na c t i v i t i e s ,t he me mb e r so ft he Co ns t i t ut i o na l Co mmi s s i o ns a wt hene e dt oc r e a t eas e p a r a t e ,c o mp e t e n ta ndi nd e p e nd e ntb o d yt o r e c o mme ndno mi ne e st ot hePr e s i de nt .Thus , i tc o nc e i v e do fab o dyr e p r e s e nt a t i v e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 8 G. R.No . 2 0 22 4 2,J ul y1 7 , 2 0 12 ,6 7 6SCRA5 7 9[ Pe J r . Mendoz a E , nBanc ] . 456

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o fal lt hes t ake ho l de r si nt hej udi c i alappo i nt me ntp r o c e s sa ndc a l l e di tt heJudi c i al a nd Ba rCo unc i l( J BC) .I t sc o mp o s i t i o n,t e r m a nd f unc t i o nsar ep r o v i d e d und e r Se c t i o n8,Ar t i c l eVI I Io ft heCo ns t i t ut i o n.... 29

Thec r e a t i o no faJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lwa spr o p o s e db yf o r me rChi e fJ us t i c e Robe r t o Conc epc i on dur i ng t he del i ber at i ons i n t he dr af t i ng of t he 1987 Co ns t i t ut i o n.Ac c o r di ng t o hi m,t he c o mmi t t e eo nj us t i c eo ft he Co ns t i t ut i o na l Co mmi s s i o n“ f e l tne i t he rt hePr e s i d e ntno rt heCo mmi s s i o no nAp po i nt me nt swo ul d ha vet het i met oc a r e f ul l ys t udyt hequal i fic a t i o nso fe v e r yc a ndi dat e ,e s pe c i al l ywi t h r e s pe c tt ot he i rpr o bi t yands e ns eo fmo r al i t y . ” 30 Co mmi s s i o ne rRe neSa r mi e nt oe c h o e dt hi ss e n t i me nt ,s t r e s s i ngt ha t“ t hec r e a t i o n o ft heCo unc i li sa s t e pt o wa r d sa c hi e v i ngj udi c i a li nd e pe nde nc e . ” 3 1 Thus ,unde r Ar t i c l eVI I I ,Se c t i o n8( 5)o ft heCo ns t i t ut i o n,t heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l“ s hal l ha v et hepr i nc i p alf unc t i o no fr e c o mme ndi nga pp o i nt e e st ot heJ ud i c i a r y . ”I ni t s e nt i r e t y , t hepr o vi s i o ns t a t e s : Sec t i o n 8. ( 1) A Judi c i al and Bar Co unc i li s he r e by c r e at e d under t he s uper vi s i on oft he Supr eme Courtc ompos ed oft he Chi efJus t i c e as e xo ffic i o Cha i r ma n,t heSe c r e t a r yo fJ us t i c e ,a nd a r e p r e s e nt a t i v eo ft heCo ng r e s sa s e x offic i o Me mbe r s ,ar e p r e s e nt at i v eo ft heI nt e gr a t e dBar ,apr o f e s s o ro fl a w,ar e t i r e d Me mb e ro ft heSupr e meCo ur t ,a ndar e p r e s e nt a t i v eo ft hepr i v a t es e c t o r . ( 2 ) Ther e g ul a rme mb e r so ft heCo u nc i ls ha l lb eap po i nt e db yt hePr e s i d e ntf o ra t e r mo ff o ury e a r swi t ht he _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 29 I d. ,a tpp.5 85 58 6,c i t i ng Ma l o l o sCo ns t . ,Ti t l eX,Ar t .8 0;Co ns t .( 193 5) ,Ar t . VI I I ,Se c .5;1Re c o r dso ft heCo ns t i t ut i o nalCo mmi s s i o nPr o c e e di ngandDe bat e s ,p. 4 37;Co ns t .( 1 97 3) ,Ar t .X,Se c .4 ;Re c o r ds ,Co ns t i t ut i o na lCo mmi s s i o n,Pr o c e e di ng s a ndDe b at e s , p.4 87 .

3 0 1Re c o r ds , Co ns t i t ut i o na lCo mmi s s i o n,Pr o c e e d i ng sa ndDe b at e s , J o ur n alNo .2 9 ( Mo nd ay , J ul y14 ,1 98 6) . 31 I d. 457

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c o n s e n to ft heCo mmi s s i o no nAp po i nt me n t s .Oft heMe mb e r sfi r s ta pp o i nt e d ,t he r e pr e s e nt at i v eo ft heI nt e gr a t e dBars hal ls e r v ef o rf o ury e ar s ,t hepr o f e s s o ro fl a w f o rt hr e ey e ar s ,t her e t i r e dJ us t i c ef o rt woy e ar s ,and t her e p r e s e n t a t i v eo ft he pr i v at es ec t o rf o ro neye ar . ( 3 ) TheCl e r ko ft heSup r e meCo u r ts h a l lb et heSe c r e t a r y e xo ffic i o o ft heCo unc i l ands hal lke e par e c o r dofi t spr o c e e di ng s . ( 4) Ther egul arMember so ft heCounc i ls hal lr ec ei ves uc hemol ument sasmaybe d e t e r mi ne db yt heSup r e meCo u r t .TheSup r e meCo u r ts h a l lp r o v i d ei ni t sa nnua l b udg e tt heappr o p r i at i o nsf o rt heCo unc i l . ( 5 ) TheCo unc i ls h al lha v et hepr i nc i p alf unc t i o no fr e c o mme nd i nga pp o i nt e e st o t heJudi c i a r y . I tma ye x e r c i s es uc ho t he rf unc t i o nsa nddut i e sa st heSupr e meCo ur t ma yas s i g nt oi t . Whi l et hePr e s i de nthast hedi s c r e t i o nt oc ho o s ewhot oappo i nti nt hej udi c i ar y , t he Co ns t i t ut i o nde l e g at e st ot heCo unc i lt hes o v e r e i g npo we rt ov e tt he s ec ho i c e sa f t e r v e zv .Judi c i a l ac a r e f ulandde l i be r a t i v epr o c e s s .I nt hedi s s e nt i ngo pi ni o ni n Cha andBarCounc i l : 32

By vi rt ue of t he f undament al premi s e of s eparat i on of power s ,t he appoi nt i ngpoweri nt hej udi ci arys houl d bedoneby t heSupr emeCourt .

However ,f or j udi ci al pos i t i ons ,t hi s i s ves t ed i n t he Exec ut i ve. Furt her mor e,becaus e of t he i mport ance of t hes e appoi nt ment s ,t he Pres i dent ’ sdi s cret i on i sl i mi t ed t o a shortl i s ts ubmi t t ed t o hi m by t he Judi ci aland BarCounci lwhi ch i sundert hesuper vi s i on oft heSupr eme Courtbutcompos edofs ever alcomponent s . The J ud i c i a la nd Ba r Co unc i lr e p r e s e nt st he c o ns t i t ue nt sa ffe c t e db yj ud i c i a l a pp o i nt me n t sa ndb ye x t e n _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 2 G. R.No . 2 0 22 4 2,Ap r i l1 6 ,2 0 13 ,6 9 6SCRA4 9 6[ Pe J r . Mendoz a E , nBanc ] . 458

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s i o n,j udi c i alde c i s i o ns .I tp r o v i de sf o rt ho s ewhoha v es o mef unc t i o nv i s àv i st he l a wt ha ts ho ul db ea ppl i e da ndi nt e r pr e t e db yo urc o ur t s .He nc e ,r e p r e s e nt e da r e pr a c t i c i ngl a wy e r s( I nt e gr a t e dBaro ft hePhi l i ppi ne s ) ,pr o s e c ut o r s( Se c r e t ar yo ft he De par t me nto fJ us t i c e ) ,l e g ala c ade mi a( pr o f e s s o ro fl a w) ,a nd j udg e so rj us t i c e s ( r e t i r e dj us t i c ea ndt heChi e fJ us t i c e ) .Al s or e p r e s e nt e di ns o mewa ya r et h o s et hat wi l lb ea ffe c t e db yt he i nt e r pr e t at i o n di r e c t l y( pr i v at es e c t o rr e p r e s e nt at i v e ) . 33 ( Emp ha s i ss up pl i e d )

I nAr t i c l eVI I I ,Se c t i o n8( 1)and( 5)o ft heCo ns t i t ut i o n,t heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l i s“ und e rt hes up e r v i s i o no ft heSup r e meCo ur t ” 3 4a nd“ ma ye x e r c i s es uc ho t he r f unc t i o nsa ndd ut i e sa st heSupr e meCo ur tma yas s i g nt oi t . ” 3 5 Thi sc o ur t ’ ss u pe r v i s i o no v e rt heJ udi c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i li sma ni f e s t e db yi t s c o mpo s i t i o n,whe r e i nt heChi e fJus t i c ei si t se xo ffic i o Cha i ra n dt heCl e r ko fCo u r t i si t sSe c r e t a r ye xo ffic i o. 3 6Thee mo l ume n t so ft heme mb e r so ft heCo u nc i la ndi t s

b udg e ta r ed e t e r mi ne dandpr o v i de dbyt hi sc o ur t . 3 7Unde rSe c t i o n4 ( a )o fA. M.No . 0 31 11 6SC o A r Re s o l ut i o nSt r e ng t he ni ngTheRo l eandCapac i t yo ft heJudi c i al and BarCounc i land Es t abl i s hi ng t heOffic e sThe r e i n,“ t he Exo ffic i o Chai r man s h al le x e r c i s eo v e r a l ladmi ni s t r a t i v ea ut ho r i t yi nt he e x e c ut i o no ft he J BC’ s mandat e. ”

The r ei sno t hi ngi nt heCo ns t i t ut i o nwhi c ha l l o wst hi sc o ur tt oi nt e r f e r ewi t ht he Co unc i l ’ se xe r c i s eofi t sdi s c r e t i o ni nt hee x e c ut i o no fi t sc o ns t i t ut i o nalmandat e .At mo s t ,t hi sc o ur t ’ ss upe r vi s i o ni sme r e l yadmi ni s t r a t i v e. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 3 Di s s e nt i ngOpi ni o no J f. Le o n e n,Cha v e zv .Judi c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l ,i d. ,atp. 533. 34 Co ns t . ,Ar t .VI I I , Se c .8( 1) . 35 Co ns t . ,Ar t .VI I I , Se c .8( 5) . 36 Co ns t . ,Ar t .VI I I ,Se c s . 8( 1)and8( 3) . 37 Co ns t . ,Ar t .VI I I , Se c .8( 4) .

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The f ul l yi nd e p e nd e nt c ha r a c t e ro ft he J ud i c i a la nd Ba r Co u nc i li sf ur t he r e l uc i dat e db yJus t i c eBr i o ni nhi ss e par a t eo pi ni o ni n DeCas t r ov .Judi c i alandBar Co u nc i l : 38

Thi sa s pe c to ft hepo we ro ft heCo ur t— i t spo we ro fs u pe r v i s i o n— i spa r t i c ul a r l y r e l e v a nti nt hi sc a s es i nc et he J BC wa sc r e a t e d “unde rt hes upe r v i s i o no ft he Supr e meCo ur t , ”wi t ht he p “r i nc i palf unc t i o no fr e c o mme ndi ngappo i nt e e st ot he Judi c i ar y. nt hesamemannert hatt heCourtcannotdi ct at eon t hel ower ”I

court son how t hey s houl d deci de cas esex ce ptt hr ough t he appealand r evi ew pr oces spr ovi ded by t heRul esofCourt ,s o al s o cannott heCourt nt hi s i nt ervenei nt heJBC’ saut hori t ytodi schargei t spri nci palf unct i on.I s e ns e ,t heJ BCi sf ul l yi nd e pe nd e nta ss h o wnb yA. M.No . 0 31 11 6SCo rRe s o l ut i o n St r e ngt heni ng The Rol e and Capaci t y oft he Judi c i al and Bar Counci l and Es t abl i s hi ng t he Offic e s The r e i n.I nb o t hc a s e s ,ho we v e rand unl e s so t he r wi s e

heCourtcan s upervi s eby d e fine db yt heCo u r t( a si nA. M.No .0 3 1 1 1 6 SC) ,t ensuri ng t he l egal i t y and correct nessoft hese ent i t i es’exerci seoft hei r power s as t o means and manner , and i nt erpret i ng f or t hem t he cons t i t ut i onalprovi s i ons ,l awsand regul at i onsaffect i ng t he means and manneroft heexer ci s eoft hei rpower sast heSupr emeCourti st hefinal aut hori t y on t he i nt erpret at i on of t hes ei ns t rument s .... 3 9( Emp ha s i s s uppl i e d) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3 8 G. R.No s .1 91 00 2,1 91 03 2,1 91 05 7 ,1 91 14 9,A. M.No .1 02 5 SC,Ma r c h1 7 ,2 01 0, 615SCRA666[ Pe J r . Be r s a mi n E , nBanc ] . D t r ov .Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l,i d. 3 9 Se pa r a t eOpi ni o no fJ us t i c eBr i o n , eCas ,at p.7 88 .

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I I Ther e me dyof c er t i o r ar ido e sno tl i e i nno nj udi c i alo rno nq uas i j udi c i alf unc t i o ns

Pe t i t i o ne rc l a i mst ha tt heno ni nc l us i o no fhi sna mei nt hes ho r tl i s twa st a nt amo unt t ogr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o namo unt i ngt ol ac ko re x c e s so fj ur i s di c t i o no nt hepar to f t heChi e fJus t i c ea ndt heJ udi c i a landBa rCo unc i l . Tobec l e ar ,Rul e65 ,Se c t i o n1o ft heRe v i s e dRul e so fCi v i lPr o c e dur epr o v i de sf o r t her e me d yo fc e r t i o r ar i :

Sect i on 1. Pe t i t i o nf o rc e r t i o r ar i . —Whe na nyt r i b una l ,b o a r do ro ffic e re x e r c i s i ng j udi c i alo rquas i j udi c i alf unc t i o nshasac t e d wi t ho uto ri ne x c e s so fi t so rhi s j ur i s di c t i o n,o r wi t h gr a v e abus eo fdi s c r e t i o n amo unt i ng t ol ac ko re x c e s so f j ur i s di c t i o n,andt he r ei snoappe al ,o ranypl ai n,s pe e dy ,andade quat er e me dyi n t heo r d i na r yc o u r s eo fl a w,ape r s o na gg r i e v e dt he r e b yma yfil eav e r i fie dpe t i t i o ni n t hepr o p e rc o ur t ,a l l e g i ngt hef a c t swi t hc e r t a i nt ya ndp r a y i ngt ha tj udg me ntb e r e nde r e da nnul l i ngo rmo d i f y i ngt hep r o c e e d i ng so fs u c ht r i b una l ,b o ar do ro ffic e r , andgr a nt i ngs uc hi nc i de nt alr e l i e f sa sl a w andj us t i c ema yr e qui r e . Spo us e sDuc adaov .Se c r e t ar yo fJus t i c e40c l ar i fie st h att hewr i to fc e r t i o r ar i o nl y l i e swhe nt het r i bunal ,bo ar d ,o ro ffic e re x e r c i s e sj udi c i alo rquas i j udi c i alf unc t i o ns . Thus:

e r t i o r ar i Fo ras pe c i alc i v i lac t i o nf o rc t opr o s pe r ,t he r e f o r e ,t hef o l l o wi ngr e qui s i t e s mustc onc ur ,namel y:( a)i tmus tbedi r e ct e d agai ns ta t r i bunal ,boar d or o ffic e re x e r c i s i ngj udi c i alo rquas i j udi c i alf unc t i o ns ;( b)t het r i bunal ,bo ar d , o ro ffic e rmus tha v eac t e dwi t ho uto ri ne x c e s so fj ur i s d i c t i o no rwi t hg r a v eab us eo f di s c r e t i o namo unt i ngt ol ac ko re x c e s so fj ur i s di c t i o n;and( c ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 40 Spo us e sDuc a daov .Se c r e t ar yo fJus t i c e,G. R.No .1 88 05 6,J anua r y8,2 01 3,6 88 SCRA109[ Pe J r. Be r s a mi n E , nBanc ] .

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t he r ei snoa p pe a lno ra nyp l a i n,s p e e d y ,a nd a d e q ua t er e me d yi nt heo r d i na r y c o ur s eo fl a w.The b ur d e no fp r o o fl i e so np e t i t i o ne r st od e mo ns t r a t et ha tt he as s a i l e do r d erwasi s s ue dwi t ho uto ri ne x c e s so fj ur i s di c t i o no rwi t hgr a v eabus eo f di s c r e t i o na mo unt i ngt ol ac ko re x c e s so fj ur i s di c t i o n. 41( Ci t at i o no mi t t e d;e mphas i s s uppl i e d) TheJudi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lc o r r e c t l yunde r s c o r e st ha ti t spr o c e e di ng si sne i t he r j udi c i alno rq uas i j udi c i ali n nat ur e . 42 An admi ni s t r at i v ebo dy i sde e me dt obe e x e r c i s i ngj udi c i alo rq uas i j udi c i alf unc t i o nswhe ni ti saut ho r i z e dt oadj udi c a t e upo nt her i g ht sando bl i g at i o nso ft hepar t i e sbe f o r ei t . 43I tmus tha v ebo t hj udi c i al di s c r e t i o nandt heaut ho r i t yt or e nde rj udg me ntt hataffe c t st hepar t i e s . 44 Thepr i nc i pa lr o l eo ft heJ udi c i a landBa rCo unc i li st or e c o mme ndappo i nt e e st ot he j udi c i ar y . 45 I ts e r v e s as a c o ns t i t ut i o nalbo dy t hats c r ut i ni z e s appl i c ant s and r e c o mme ndst ot hePr e s i d e ntn o to n l yt ho s ewhoar equa l i fie db ut ,i ni t sdi s c r e t i o n, t hemo s tfi ta mo n gt hea pp l i c a nt st ob ei nc l ud e di n as ho r tl i s tf r o m whi c ht he Pr e s i d e ntc an ma ke a pp o i nt me n t st ot he j ud i c i a r y . 4 6 The r ei s no t hi ng i nt hi s f unc t i o nt ha tma ke si taqua s i j udi c i alo ffic eo ra ge nc y . Whe nt he J ud i c i a la nd Ba r Co u nc i lr e q u e s t e dp e t i t i o n e rt oa pp e a rb e f o r ei t s member sonJune30,2014, 47i twasno tf ort hepur pos eofdet er mi ni ngwhe t her pe t i t i o ne rwa si nno c e nt

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 41 I d. ,atp.119,c i t i n A g z uc arv .Jo r o l an,G. R.No .1 77 87 8,Ap r i l7 , 2 01 0,6 17SCRA 5 19,5 27 5 28[ Pe J r . Vi l l ar a ma,Jr . ,Fi r s tDi v i s i o n] .

4 2J ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lCo mme nt ,p p.4 5 . 43 Se c r e t ar yofJus t i c ev .Lant i o n,3 79Phi l .1 65 ,1 98 1 99 ;3 22SCRA 1 60 ,1 82[ Pe r J. Me l o E , nBanc ] ,c i t i n R g upe r t ov .To r r e s,100Phi l .1098( 1957)[ Unr e p or t e d] . 44 I d. 4 5J ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lCo mme nt ,p p.4 5 s ; upr a no t e3 5. 46 Se eJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lSup pl e me nt a lCo mme nt Re p l y ,p p.9 1 0. 4 7J ud i c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i lCo mme n t ,p .8 . 462

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o rg ui l t yo fanyal l e g at i o nma deag ai ns thi m. 48Lo o s e l yaki nt oa“ j o bi nt e r v i e w, ”t he pr o c e s sb e f o r et heJudi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l“ a s c e r t ai nst hefit ne s so ft heappl i c a nt v i s àv i st hec o ns t i t ut i o nalr e qui r e me nto f‘ pr o v e nc o mpe t e nc e ,i nt e gr i t y ,pr o b i t y , a ndi nde p e nde nc e . ’ ” 4 9Ther e q ue s tt oa ppe a rwa sma deno to nl yt oa l l o w pe t i t i o ne r t oai rhi ss i debuta l s ot oe nl i g ht e nCo unc i lme mb e r sb e f o r et he yno mi na t et ho s e t he yde t e r mi net ob et hemo s tfitf o rt hev a c anc y . 5 0 TheJ ud i c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i li sal s ono ta na g e nc yf o rd e ba t e .Ther e q ue s tf o r pe t i t i o ne rt oa ppe a rbe f o r et heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i li sme r e l ya ne x t e ns i o no f t hedi s c r e e tb ac kg r o undc he c kt heb odyi se nt i t l e dt oc o n duc t ,e s p e c i al l yo ni s s ue s r e l at i ngt ot hei nt e gr i t yo ft heappl i c a nt . 51TheCo unc i li se nt i t l e dt ove r i f yc l ai ms madeag ai ns tpe t i t i o ne r ,wi t ho utne c e s s ar i l ygo i ngi nt oaf ul l bl o wnt r i al . Atanyr at e ,i ti sno twi t hi nt heCo unc i l ’ sf unc t i o nst ode t e r mi nef ac t uali s s ue sand ma keapr o n ounc e me ntb as e do ni t sfindi ng s .I ti sp ar to ft hepr o c e s st os a t i s f ye ac h me mb er ’ sba s i sf o rt he i rc ho i c e s .Af t e rbe i ngpr o v i de dwi t hs uc hi nf o r mat i o n,t he me mb e r sv o t ef o rt he i rpr e f e r e nc e sba s e do nt he i ro wnv i e wo ft heq ua l i fic a t i o nsa nd fit ne s so fa l lt heappl i c a nt s .Theac t i o nso ft heCo unc i lque s t i o ne di nt hi spe t i t i o n,

e r t i o r ar i t he r e f o r e ,ar eno tr e v i e wabl et hr o ug ht hepr o c e dur a lv e hi c l eo fc a sas pe c i al c i v i lac t i o n.

I I I Ther e me dyo fmandamusdoe snotl i e t oc o mpe ladi s c r e t i o nar yac t

Mandamus al s odo e sno tl i eag ai ns tr e s po nde nt s .

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 48 I d. 4 9J ud i c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i lSup pl e me n t a lCo mme n t Re p l y ,p p.7 8 ,c i t i ng Co n s t . ( 1987) ,Ar t . VI I I , Se c .7( 3) . 50 I d. ,atp.8. I d. 51

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Rul e65 ,Se c t i o n3o ft heRe v i s e dRul e so fCi v i lPr o c e dur ep r o v i de sf o rt her e me dyo f mandamus ,t hus :

Pe t i t i o nf o rmandamus. SEC.3. —Whe na nyt r i b una l ,c o r p o r a t i o n,b o ar d,o ffic e ro r p e r s o n unl a wf ul l y ne g l e c t st hep e r f o r ma nc eo fa na c twhi c ht hel a ws p e c i fic a l l y e nj o i nsasadut yr e s ul t i ngf r o m ano ffic e ,t r us t ,o rs t a t i o n,o runl a wf ul l ye x c l ude s ano t herf r om t heus eand enj o ymentofa r i ghto roffic et owhi c hs uc ho t heri s e nt i t l e d ,a ndt he r ei snoo t he rp l a i n,s p e e dya nda de q ua t er e me d yi nt heo r d i na r y c o ur s eo fl a w,t hepe r s o na gg r i e v e dt he r e b yma yfil eav e r i fie dpe t i t i o ni nt hepr o p e r c o ur t ,a l l e g i ng t hef a c t swi t hc e r t a i nt ya nd p r a y i ng t ha tj udg me ntb er e nde r e d c o mma nd i ngt her e s p o nd e nt ,i mme d i a t e l yo ra ts o meo t he rt i met ob es p e c i fie db y t hec o ur t ,t odot heac tr e qui r e dt obedo net opr o t e c tt her i g ht so ft hepe t i t i o ne r ,and t opa yt heda ma ge ss us t a i ne db yt h epe t i t i o ne rb yr e a s o no ft hewr o ng f ulac t so ft he r e s p o n d e n t . Me t r oMa ni l aDe v e l o p me ntAut ho r i t yv .Co n c e r ne d Re s i de nt so fMa ni l aBa y52 c l a r i fie swhe nawr i to fmandamus l i e s :

Ge ne r al l y ,t hewr i to fmandamus l i e st or e qui r et heex e c ut i o no fami ni s t e r i aldut y . Ami ni s t e r i aldut yi so net hat“ r e q ui r e sne i t he rt hee x e r c i s eo fo ffic i aldi s c r e t i o nno r j udg me nt . ”I tc o nno t e sanac ti nwhi c hno t hi ngi sl e f tt ot hedi s c r e t i o no ft hepe r s o n e x e c u t i ng i t .I ti sa “ s i mpl e ,de fini t edut ya r i s i ng unde rc o ndi t i o nsa dmi t t e do r Ma pr o v e dt oe x i s ta ndi mpo s e db yl a w. ” ndamus i sa vai l abl et oc o mpe lac t i o n,whe n r e f us e d,o nmat t e r si nv o l v i ngdi s c r e t i o n,butno tt odi r e c tt hee x er c i s eo fj udg me nto r di s c r e t i o no newa yo rt heo t he r . 53 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5 25 95Phi l .3 05 ;5 7 4SCRA6 61( 2 00 8)[ Pe J r . Ve l as c o,Jr E . , nBanc ] . I d. Angc hangc o,Jr .v .Ombuds man,3 53 ,atp.326;pp.670671,c i t i ng 35Phi l .76 7; 268SCRA301( 1997)[ Pe J r . Me l o ,Thi r dDi v i s i o n] ;Bl ac k’ sLa w Di c t i o nar y( 8t he d. , 2 0 0 4 ) L ; ambv .Phi pps ,22Phi l .456,490( 1912)[ Pe J r . Jo hns o n E , nBanc ] . 464

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Thede t e r mi na t i o nb yt heJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lo ft heq ua l i fic a t i o nsa ndfit ne s s o fa ppl i c a nt sf o r po s i t i o ns i nt he j udi c i a r yi s no t a mi ni s t e r i a l dut y .I ti s c o ns t i t ut i o na l l ypa r to fi t sd i s c r e t i o n.Ma nd amusc a nno tc o mpe lt hea me ndme nto f a nyl i s ta l r e a dyt r a ns mi t t e d,a ndi tc a nno tb ema dea v ai l a bl et oc o mpe lt heCo unc i l t ot r a ns mi tanameno ti nt heo r i g i nall i s t . De Cas t r ov .Judi c i al and Bar Co unc i l54 c l ar i fies a uni que i nst ance when mandamusl i e sag ai ns tt heCo unc i l .Thi si swi t hr e s p e c to nl yt ot hec o ns t i t ut i o nal d ut yt oa l l o wt hePr e s i d e ntt hema nd at o r y9 0d a y st oma k eana p po i nt me n t .Thus :

The dut y oft he JBC t os ubmi ta l i s tofnomi neesb he st artoft he e f o r et Pre s i dent ’ s mandat ory 90day peri od t o appoi nti s mi ni s t eri al ,buti t s s el ect i on oft hecandi dat eswhosenameswi l lbei nt hel i s tt obesubmi t t ed t ot he Pre s i dentl i es wi t hi nt he di s cr et i on oft he JBC.Theo b j e c to ft he pe t i t i o nsf o rmandamushe r e i ns h o ul do nl yr e f e rt ot he d ut yt os u b mi tt ot he Pr e s i de ntt hel i s to fno mi ne e sf o re v e r yv ac a nc yi nt heJudi c i ar y , be c a us ei no r d e rt o c o ns t i t ut eunl a wf ulne g l e c to fdut y , t he r emus tb ea nunj us t i fie dde l a yi npe r f o r mi ng t ha tdut y .Fo rmandamust ol i ea ga i ns tt heJ BC,t he r e f o r e ,t he r es h o ul db ea n une x p l a i ne dde l a yo ni t sp ar ti nr e c o mme nd i ngno mi ne e st ot heJudi c i a r y ,t ha ti s , i ns ubmi t t i ngt hel i s tt ot hePr e s i de nt . 55( Emphas i ss uppl i e d) Thede c i s i o nt oi nc l udename si nt hes ho r tl i s to fno mi ne e sf o rt heac t i o no ft he Pr e s i de nti s ,t hus ,apr e r o g at i v eoft heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l ,no tt hi sc o ur t . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 54 Supra no t e3 8. 55 I d. ,atp.752,c i t i n N g e r yv .Gamo l o,4 45Phi l .7 6;3 97SCRA1 10( 2 00 3) .Se ea l s o Mus niv .Mo r al e s ,373Phi l .703;315SCRA 85( 1999)[ Per J.Pa ng a ni b a n,Thi r d Di v i s i o n] .

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I nt hi sc a s e ,t he l i s twa st r a ns mi t t e d wi t ho utan yo b j e c t i o nf r o m t he Co unc i l ’ s me mb e r s .Dur i ngt hefina ld e l i b e r a t i o nso ft heCo unc i l ,a l ls i x( 6 )me mb e r swe r e pr e s e nt ,na me l y :Chi e fJ us t i c eMa r i aLo ur de sP .A.Se r e no ,De p ar t me nto fJ us t i c e Se c r e t a r y Le i l a M.De Li ma ,Re p r e s e nt a t i v eNi e lC.Tup as ,J r . ,f o r me rJus t i c e Aur o r aSant i agoLag man,At t y .Jo s eV.Me j i a,andAt t y .Ma r i aMi l agr o sN.Fe r nanCa y o s a .Se n at o rAq ui l i no Pi me n t e lI I Iwa sa l s op r e s e n tb utdi d no tv o t e .The mi nut e so ft heJ ud i c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i le x e c ut i v es e s s i o nd at e dJ une3 0,2 01 4 s h o ws : 5 6

J us t i c eLa g ma ns u g g e s t e dt ha tt hev o t i ng b ed e f e r r e db utChi e fJ us t i c eSe r e no r e p l i e dt hatt heCo unc i lha sal r e a dyc o mpl e t e dt hepr o c e s sr e qui r e df o rt hev o t i ngt o

ng no obj ect i on,t he Counci lproceeded t o vot ef ort he p r o c e e d .Therebei posi t i onofAs s oci at eJus t i ceoft heSupremeCourt . .... The Co unc i la g r e e dt oc o ns i d e rt he t hi r t e e n( 1 3)c a ndi da t e sf o rt he po s i t i o no f As s o c i at eJus t i c eo ft heSupr e meCo ur t . TheMe mb e r sa gr e e dt ov ot ef o rama x i mum o ffiv e( 5 )c a nd i d at e se a c h.Theb al l o t s we r edi s t r i but e dandvo t e sc a s tandt al l i e dac c o r di ng l y . .... Thef o l l o wi ngc a ndi da t e sg a r ne r e dt hehi g he s tnumb e ro fv o t e sa ndi nc l ude di nt he s ho r tl i s t : Br us e l as ,Apo l i nar i o-6vo t e s

Re y e s ,Jo s eJr .C.-6v o t e s Pul i do Ta n,Ma r i aGr a c i aM.-5v o t e s Da wa y , Re y na l d oB.-4v o t e s Whi l ec a nd i da t eJa r d e l e z a ,Fr anc i sH.g ar n e r e d4v o t e s ,hec a nno tb ei nc l ude di n t hes ho r tl i s tbe c aus eo f

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 56 Judi c i alandBarCounc i lSuppl ement alComment Repl y ,Anne xC,mi nut esof t heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lEx e c ut i v eSe s s i o nhe l do nJ une3 0,2 01 4. 466

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a ni nv o c a t i o no fRul e1 0,Se c t i o n2o fJ BC0 09( J BCRul e s )a ga i ns thi m. .... The r ebe i ngnoo t he rma t t e rt odi s c us s ,t heme e t i ngwa sad j o ur ne da ta r o und3 : 1 0 p . m. 5 7( Emp ha s i ss up pl i e d ) Theab s e nc eo fa nyo bj e c t i o nb yt heme mb er so ft heCo unc i l ,o r al l yandi nt hel e t t e r o ft r a ns mi t t a ls ub mi t t e dt ot he Pr e s i d e nt ,s ho ul dc o nc l us i v e l ys h o w t ha tt he ma nne ro fs e l e c t i o nandt her e s u l t swe r ea c c e p t e dbyal lc o nc e r ne d A . gai n,i tbe ar s re peat i ng,t hatt heshortl i s tt rans mi t t edt ot heOfficeoft hePre s i dentwas s i gne d by al lt he me mber s of t he Counci l wi t hout e xc e pt i on, 58 t here by e xpr e s s i ngt he i runani mi t yast oi t sc ont e nt s.

Mandamus ,t he r e f o r e ,do e sno tl i et oame ndt hi sl i s t .

I V Thi sc o ur t ’ se x pande dj ur i s di c t i o ndo e sno tj us t i f yi nt e r f e r e nc ewi t ht hepr i nc i pal f unc t i o nso ft heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l

Thei nv oc a t i o no ft hi sc o ur t ’ spo we runde rAr t i c l eVI I I ,Se c t i o n1oft heCo ns t i t ut i o n “ t od e t e r mi newhe t he ro rno tt he r eha sb e e nagr a v ea bus eo fdi s c r e t i o na mo unt i ng t ol ac ko re x c e s so fj ur i s di c t i o no nt hepar to fanybr a nc ho ri ns t r ume nt al i t yo ft he Go v e r n me nt ”i nr e l a t i o nt ot heJudi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l ’ sdi s c r e t i o ns ho ul db er e a d i nc ont ex t .I ts houl d no t be r ead t oo e xpans i ve l ys o as t o under mi ne t he c o ns t i t ut i o nall i mi t so fo urr e l at i o nt ot heCo unc i l . As ho wi ngo fg r av eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o ns ho ul dr e f e rt oade mo ns t r abl yc l e arbr e ac ho f ac o ns t i t ut i o naldut yt hati s“ a r b i -

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 57 I d. ,atp p.68. e e r t i o r ar i 58 Se Anne xD o fpe t i t i o nf o rc andmandamus andAnne xH ofJudi c i al andBarCo unc i lCo mme nt . 46

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t r a r y ,c a pr i c i o usandwhi ms i c a l . ”59Ourc o ns t i t ut i o naldut yandpo we ro fr e v i e wi s no tt oac c e p tt hear g ume nt so fpe t i t i o ne rbe c aus ei ti spl aus i bl e .Judi c i alr e v i e wi s

al s ono ta l i c e ns et oi mpo s eo uro wn pl aus i b l ei nt e r pr e t at i o no ft her u l e so ft he Co unc i lo v e rt he i ro wn.Judi c i alr e v i e wr e q ui r e sasa nabs o l ut epr e di c a t e ,as ho wi ng t hatt heCo unc i l ’ si nt e r pr e t at i o nandappl i c at i o no fi t sr ul e si ss obe r e f to fr e a s onand s oi mpl aus i bl e .Wedonotanal yz et hecogencyoft heargument sofpe t i t i oner ort hei nt e rpr e t at i on t hatwewoul d haveputhad webee ni nt heCounci l . Rat he r ,t he mode of anal y s i si n our e xe r c i s e of j udi c i al r e vi e w i st o s cr ut i ni z e whe t he r t he r e are no vi abl e r e asonabl e bas e s f or t he i nt erpret at i on,appl i cat i on,andact i onsoft heJudi ci alandBarCounci l. I no t he rwo r ds ,t hee r r o rwene e dt odi s c o v e rbe f o r enul l i f y i ngadi s c r e t i o nar yac to f ano t he rc o n s t i t ut i o nalo r g ani sno twhe t he rt he r ec o ul dha v ebe e namo r er e as o n ab l e i nt e r pr e t at i o n andappl i c at i o no fi t sr ul e s ;r a t he r ,i ts ho ul dbet hatwec l e a r l yfind t hatt he i ri nt e r pr e t at i o nandappl i c at i o nc anno ts t ando nanyl e g alj us t i fic at i o n.I ti s no tab outwhi c ho ft hear g ume nt sp o s e db ype t i t i o ne randr e s po nde n t sar eb e t t e ri n r e l at i o nt oe a c ho t he r .Rat he r ,j udi c i alr e v i e wr e q ui r e sanabs o l ut efindi ngt hatt he ac t i o nso fr e s po nde nt sb e i ngr e v i e we dar ear b i t r ar y ,c a pr i c i o us , andwhi ms i c a l. No t abl y ,t hec o ns t i t ut i o nalt e x tpr o v i de sno ts i mpl y“ abus eo fdi s c r e t i o n” ;i tr e q ui r e s g “r ave abus eo fdi s c r e t i o n. ” I nt hi s wa y ,we do no to v e r r e ac h pr e c i pi t o us l y and e ndang e rt he bal anc eo f c o ns t i t ut i o nalpo we r .Wedono tdi s t ur bt hebal anc eo fpo l i t i c a lpo we re nv i s i o ne dby t hes o v e r e i g nandt e x t ual l ymappe do uti nt hef undame nt all aw.Judi c i alr e s t r ai nti s r e q ui r e di nac o ns t i t ut i o nalde mo c r ac y. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 59 Se e Ganade n,e tal .v .Co ur to fAppe a l s ,e tal. ,G. R.No s .1 70 50 0a nd1 70 51 01 1 , June1,2011,650SCRA 117[ Pe J r . Vi l l ar a ma,Jr . ,Thi r dDi v i s i o n]andYs i do r ov . Ho n.DeCas t r o,G. R.No s .1 7 15 1 3,1 9 09 6 3,Fe b r ua r y6 ,2 0 12 ,6 6 5SCRA 1[ Pe r J. Br i o n,Se c o ndDi v i s i o n] . 468

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Ev e na f t e rt hi sc o ur tde t e r mi ne st hatt he r ei ss uc hg r a v ea bus eo fdi s c r e t i o n,t he r e l i e fwepr o v i des ho ul dbepr ude nt l yt a i l o r e ds oast opr e s e r v et hec ar e f ul l yc r a f t e d b al a nc ea mo ngc o n s t i t ut i o na lo r g a nsa swe l la sb e t we e ng o v e r nme nt a lp o we r sa nd i t sc i t i z ens . Fur t he r mo r e , an yc ha ng ei nt hei nt e r p r e t a t i o no ft her ul e so ft heCo unc i ls ho ul dno t i ne q ui t a bl y pr e j ud i c et hi r dp ar t i e s who r e l i e do nt he e x i s t e nc eo ft he s er u l e s . Pe t i t i o ne rwasno tt hes o l eappl i c a ntt ot hepo s i t i o nv ac a t e db yt her e t i r e me nto fa me mb e ro ft hi sc o ur t .The r ea r ef o ur( 4 )i nd i v i d ua l st ha tp as s e dt he Co unc i l ’ s de t e r mi na t i o no fq ua l i fic a t i o nsandfit ne s si nt hel i s tt r a ns mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de nt . The r ea r es i x( 6)o t he ri ndi v i dual swhodi dno tmakei tt ot hel i s t . Thus,e v e ni fwe a s s ume ,wi t ho u tc o nc e di ng ,t ha tt he r e wa s“ g r a v ea bus eo f di s c r e t i o n”o nt hepar to fr e s po nde nt s ,i twi l lbebo t hi ne q ui t abl eandav i o l at i o no f t her i g ht so ft heo t he rap pl i c ant sa nd t heo t he rno mi ne e st os i mpl yr e q ui r et he ame ndme nto ft hel i s tt r a ns mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de nt .Pe t i t i o ne rc ho s eno tt oi mpl e a d t he m.The y di d no tb e ne fitf r o m a no p p o r t uni t yt ob ehe a r db yt hi sc o ur t . Any amendmentt ot herul esoft heCounci lt hr ough ouri nt er pre t at i ongi ve nt he par t i e si mpl e ade di nt hi sc as es houl d,t hus ,bepr os pe c t i veand appl i c abl e onl yt of ut urepr oce s s esf ornomi nat i onandappoi nt mentt oourcourt s.

V Thei nt e r pr e t at i o no fJudi c i alandBarCo unc i lRul e si sbe s taddr e s s e dt ot he Co unc i l .I t si nt e r pr e t at i o ns ho ul dbegi v e nt hep r e s umpt i o no fc o ns t i t ut i o nal i t y Pe t i t i o ne ra r g ue st hatt heCo unc i le r r o ne o us l yi nt e r p r e t e di t so wnr ul e swhe ni t s Cha i ri n v o ke d Rul e1 0,S e c t i o n2 .I np ar t i c ul a r ,he c l a i ms t ha t Chi e fJ us t i c e Se r e n o’ si nt e r p r e t a t i o n“ g o e sa ga i ns tt he JBC’ sc o l l e g i alc har a c t e r ,g i v i ng an y me mb e ra ne ffe c t i v ev e t o . ” 6 0 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

e r t i o r ar i 60 Pe t i t i o nf o rc andmandamus ,p.9. 469

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Fi r s t Thi s ar gument i s wr ong f or t wo r eas ons . ,t he t r a ns mi t t all e t t e rt ot he Pr e s i d e ntwa ss i g ne db yal lt heme mb e r so ft heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l .The r ewa s nodi s s e nt .Themi nut e ss ho we dt ha tt hewho l ec o unc i la gr e e dt ol i mi tt hel i s tt o f o ur( 4 )na me se x c l udi ngpe t i t i o ne r ’ s .The r er e ma i nst obenodi s s e nta ss h o wnb y t hec ommentand t hesuppl ement alc ommento ft heCounc i lwhi c hi tfil edi nt hi s c a s e .Theas s e r t i o nt ha tt her ul e swe r ei nt e r p r e t e do nl ybyt heCha i ro ft heCo unc i l i sno ta c c ur a t e .I t ,unf o r t unat e l y ,unne c e s s ar i l yc o l o r st hei s s ue si nt hi sc as easa pe r s o na lc o n t r o v e r s ybe t we e nt heappl i c a nta ndt heChi e fJ us t i c e . Se c o n d,t hear g ume ntf ai l st opr o p er l yc har a c t e r i z et hei s s uei no r d ert oi nv o ket h e po we rofj udi c i alr e v i e w A . g ai n,t ounde r s c o r ebyr e pe at i ng ,t he r emus tbeas ho wi ng t hatt hei nt e r pr e t at i o nandappl i c at i o no ft heCo unc i l ’ sr ul e sb e“ ar b i t r a r y , c apr i c i o us andwhi ms i c a l . ”I tmus tb es h o wnt obei mpl aus i b l ea ndb e r e f to fr e as o n.The r emus t beac o mpe l l i ngi nt e r e s tt opr o v i der e l i e fi nanar r o wl yt ai l o r e dmanne rs oasno tt o i nf r i ng ei ne q ui t ab l yi nt ot her i g ht so fi nno c e ntt hi r d par t i e swhowe r eno tmade par t i e st ot hi sc as e. TheJudi c i a landBa rCo unc i l ,b e i ngaf ul l yi nde pe nde ntc o ns t i t ut i o na lb o dy , ha st h e di s c r e t i o nt of o r mul at ei t so wnr ul e s . Be f o r et hepr o mul g at i o no fJ BC0 09 ,t heo nl yc r i t e r i at heCo unc i lr e l i e do n wa s whatwass t at e di nAr t i c l eVI I I ,Se c t i o n7o ft heCo ns t i t ut i o n: Sec t i on7.( 1) Noper s ons hal lbeappoi nt edMemberoft heSupr emeCourtorany l o we rc o l l e g i a t ec o u r tunl e s she i sa na t ur a l b o r nc i t i z e no ft he Phi l i ppi ne s .A Membero ft heSupr emeCourtmus tbeatl eas tf or t yye ar sofage,andmusthave b e enf o rfif t e e ny e ar so rmo r e ,aj udg eo fal o we rc o ur to re ng ag e di nt hepr a c t i c eo f l a wi nt hePhi l i ppi ne s .

( 2) TheCo ng r e s ss ha l lpr e s c r i b et heq ua l i fic a t i o nso fj udg e so fl o we rc o ur t s ,butno p e r s o nma ybea pp o i nt e d 470

470



j udg et he r e o funl e s s he i sa c i t i z e no ft he Phi l i ppi ne s and a me mbe ro ft he Phi l i ppi neBa r .

A Memberoft heJudi ci ary mus tbea per s on ofpr oven compet ence, ( 3) i nt egri t y,probi t y,andi ndependence. ( Emp ha s i ss up pl i e d ) The Co unc i l ,r e c og ni z i ng t he mo nume nt alt as k mandat ed t ot hem by t he Co ns t i t ut i o n,r e s o l v e dt opr o mul g at eo nOc t o b e r1 8,2 00 0,J BC0 09o rt heRul e so f t heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l ,s t at i ng : .... WHEREAS, t he Counci li st hus ves t ed wi t h a del i cat ef unct i on and

bur dened wi t h a greatre s pons i bi l i t y;i t st ask ofdet ermi ni ng who meet s t hecons t i t ut i onalre qui re ment st omeri tr ecommendat i onf orappoi nt ment t ot heJudi ci aryi samostdi fficul tandt ryi ngdut ybecaus et hevi rt uesand qual i t i esofcompet ence,i nt egri t y,probi t yandi ndependencearenoteasi l y det ermi nabl east heyaredevel opedandnurt ure dt hrought heyears ;andi t i ss el f evi dentt hat ,t obeagood j udge,onemus thaveat t ai ned s uffici ent mast eryoft hel aw andl egalpri nci pl es,beofi rreproachabl echaract erand mus tposs essunsul l i edreput at i on andi nt egri t y,s houl dconsi derhi soffice asa s acred publ i ct rus t ;and,above al l ,hemus tbeonewhosel oyal t yt o ; l aw,j us t i ceandt hei deal sofani ndependentJudi ci aryi sbeyonddoubt ....

WHEREAS,whi l ei ti sno tp o s s i b l eo ra dv i s a b l et ol a yd o wn i r o n c l a dr ul e st o d e t e r mi net hefit ne s so ft ho s ewhoa s p i r et ob e c o meaJ us t i c e ,J ud g e ,Omb ud s ma n o rDe p ut yOmb uds ma n,c e r t a i ng ui de l i ne so rc r i t e r i ama yb epr e s c r i b e dt oas c e r t a i n i fo n es e e k i ng s uc ho ffic e me e t st he mi ni mum c o n s t i t ut i o n alq ua l i fic a t i o n sa nd po s s e s s e sq ua l i t i e so fmi nda ndhe a r te x p e c t e do fame mb e ro ft heJudi c i a r y ,o ra n Ombuds mano rDe put yOmbuds man; 471

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WHEREAS,whi l et heCo unc i lha sb e e na pp l y i ngs i mi l a rc r i t e r i ai ni t sa s s e s s me nt

here o fc a nd i d a t e st ot hej ud i c i a lo ffic eo rt heOmb ud s ma no rd e p ut yOmb ud s ma n,t i sa need t o putt hes e cri t eri ai n wri t i ng t oi ns ure t r ans parency i ni t s proceedi ngsand promot es t abi l i t yand uni f ormi t yi ni t sgui di ngpre cept s . 6 1( Empha s i ss uppl i e d ) andpri nci pl es Ther ul e so ft heJudi c i ala ndBa rCo unc i li si t si nt e r p r e t a t i o na st oho wi ti st og o a b o ut wi t h i t sd ut y t od e t e r mi ne t he “ c o mp e t e n c e ,i nt e g r i t y ,p r o b i t y a nd i nde pe nde nc e ”t ha ti sc o ns t i t ut i o na l l yr e q ui r e do fe v e r yme mb e rt ot hi sc o ur t .Ho w t heCo unc i lg oa bo utwi t hi t sdut yi spr i ma r i l ya ndpr e s u mp t i v e l ya dd r e s s e dt oi t s o l e l ya sa ni nde pe nde ntc o ns t i t ut i o na lo r g a na t t a c he do nl yt ot hi sc o ur tt hr o ug h a dmi ni s t r a t i v es upe r v i s i o n.The c o ns t i t ut i o na lpr o v i s i o ns do no tr e q ui r ea v o t e r equi r ementon t he par toft he me mber sf ora findi ng ofei t her c ompet enc e, i nt e gr i t y ,pr o bi t y ,o ri nde pe nde nc e .Ne i t he rdo e si tt e x t ual l ypr o v i def o rt heme ani ng o ft he s et e r ms .I ti s up t ot he J ud i c i a la n d Ba r Co u nc i lt o find a r e a s o n ab l e c o ns t r u c t i o no ft hef und ame nt a lr e q ui r e me nt s . Fo rr e f e r e nc e ,t hec o ns t i t ut i o nalpr o v i s i o nsr e l e v antt ot hedut i e soft heJudi c i aland Ba rCo unc i li nr e l a t i o nt ot hea ppo i nt me nto fame mb e ro ft hi sc o ur tar easf o l l o ws :

ARTI CLEVI I I J ud i c i a lDe p a r t me n t

Sec .7 .( 1) Noper s o ns hal lbeappo i nt e dMe mbe ro ft heSupr e meCo ur to ran y l o we rc o l l e g i a t ec o u r tunl e s she i sa na t ur a l b o r nc i t i z e no ft he Phi l i ppi ne s .A Membero ft heSupr emeCourtmus tbeatl eas tf or t yye ar sofageand,mus thave b e e nf o rfif t e e ny e a r so rmo r eaj udg eo fal o we rc o ur to re ng a ge di nt hepr a c t i c eo f l a wi nt hePhi l i ppi ne s . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6 1 Fi f t h,Se v e nt h,a ndEi g ht hWhe r e a sCl a us e s , J BC0 09( 2 00 0) . 472

472



( 2) TheCo ng r e s ss ha l lpr e s c r i b et heq ua l i fic a t i o nso fj udg e so fl o we rc o ur t s ,butno pe r s o nma yb ea ppo i nt e dj udg et he r e o funl e s sh ei sac i t i z e no ft hePhi l i ppi ne sa nda me mb e ro ft hePhi l i p pi neBa r . ( 3 ) A Me mb e ro ft heJ ud i c i a r ymus tb eap e r s o no fp r o v e nc o mp e t e n c e ,i nt e g r i t y , pr o b i t y , andi nde pe nde nc e . Se c .8 .( 1 ) AJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i li she r e b yc r e a t e dund e rt hes up e r v i s i o no f t he Supr eme Cour tc ompos ed oft he Chi efJust i c e as e xo ffic i o Chai r man,t he Se c r e t ar yo fJ us t i c e ,a ndar e p r e s e nt a t i v eo ft heCo ng r e s sa s e xo ffic i o Me mbe r s ,a r e p r e s e nt a t i v eo ft heI nt e g r a t e dBa r ,apr o f e s s o ro fl a w,ar e t i r e dMe mb e ro ft he Supr e meCo ur t ,a ndar e pr e s e nt a t i v eo ft hepr i v at es e c t o r . ( 2 ) Ther e g ul a rme mb e r so ft heCo u nc i ls ha l lb eap po i nt e db yt hePr e s i d e ntf o ra t e r mo ff o u ry e a r swi t ht hec o ns e n to ft heCo mmi s s i o no nAp po i nt me n t s .Oft he Me mb e r sfir s ta pp o i nt e d ,t her e p r e s e nt a t i v eo ft heI nt e g r a t e dBa rs ha l ls e r v ef o r

f o ury e ar s , t hepr o f e s s o ro fl a wf o rt hr e eye ar s ,t her e t i r e dJus t i c ef o rt woye ar s , and t her e pr e s e nt at i v eo ft hepr i v at es e c t o rf o ro ney ear . ( 3 ) TheCl e r ko ft heSup r e meCo u r ts h a l lb et heSe c r e t a r y e xo ffic i o o ft heCo unc i l ands hal lke e par e c o r dofi t spr o c e e di ng s . ( 4) Ther egul arMember so ft heCounc i ls hal lr ec ei ves uc hemol ument sasmaybe d e t e r mi ne db yt heSup r e meCo u r t .TheSup r e meCo u r ts h a l lp r o v i d ei ni t sa nnua l b udg e tt heappr o p r i at i o nsf o rt heCo unc i l . ( 5) The Counc i l shal l have t he pri nc i pal f unc t i on of r e comme ndi ng appoi nt ee st ot heJudi ci ary.I tma ye x e r c i s es uc ho t he rf unc t i o nsanddut i e sa s t heSup r e meCo u r tma ya s s i g nt oi t . Sec .9. TheMe mber soft heSupre meCour tandj udge sofl owe rc our t ss hal l be appoi nt e d by t he Pr e s i de nt f r om a l i s t of at l e as tt hr e e nomi ne e s pr e par e d by t he Judi c i al and Bar Counc i lf or e ve r yv ac ancy. Suc h a pp o i nt me n t sne e dnoc o n fir ma t i o n . 473

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Fo rt hel o we rc o ur t s ,t hePr e s i de nts hal li s s uet heappo i nt me nt swi t hi nni ne t yda y s f r o mt hes ubmi s s i o no ft hel i s t .( Empha s i ss uppl i e d) I nSe c t i o n4o ft hes a mea r t i c l e ,i tpr o v i de st hef o l l o wi ng : Sec .4. ( 1) TheSupr emeCourts hal lbec ompos edofaChi efJus t i c eandf ourt ee n As s o c i at eJus t i c e s .I tma ys i E t nBanc o r ,i ni t sdi s c r e t i o n,i ndi v i s i o nso ft hr e e ,fiv e , o rs e ve n Membe r s A . nyv ac anc ys hal lbefil l e d wi t hi n ni ne t yday sf r om t he occurr encet her eof .( Emp ha s i ss up pl i e d )

Eas t e r n Te l e c o mmuni c at i o ns Phi l i ppi ne sv .I nt e r nat i o nalCo mmuni c at i o n I n Co r po r a t i o n, 62t hi sc o ur ts t at e d:

TheCo ur tha sc o n s i s t e nt l yy i e l de da nda c c o r de dg r e atr e s p e c tt ot hei nt e r p r e t a t i o n b ya dmi ni s t r at i v ea ge nc i e so ft he i ro wnr ul e sunl e s st he r ei sane r r o ro fl a w,a bus e o fpo we r ,l ac ko fj ur i s di c t i o no rgr a v eabus eo fdi s c r e t i o nc l e ar l yc o nfli c t i ngwi t ht he l e t t e rands pi r i to ft hel a w. I nCi t yGo v e r nme nto fMa ka t iv .Ci v i lSe r v i c eCo mmi s s i o n,t heCo ur tc i t e dc a s e s whe r et hei nt e r p r e t a t i o no fapa r t i c u l a radmi ni s t r a t i v eag e nc yo fac e r t a i nr ul ewas a dhe r e dt o ,v i z . : Aspr o pe r l yno t e d,CSC waso nl yi nt e r pr e t i ngi t so wnr ul e so nl e a v eo fabs e nc eand

edl y,t he no tas t a t ut o r ypr o v i s i o ni nc o mi ngupwi t ht hi suni f o r mr u l e .Undoubt CSC l i keanyot heragencyhast hepowert oi nt erpreti t sownrul esandany phras e cont ai ned i nt hem wi t hi t si nt erpret at i on s i gni ficant l y becomi ng .Aso b s e r v e di nWe s t partoft herul est hemsel ves _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6 25 16Phi l .5 18 ;4 8 1SCRA1 63( 2 00 6)[ Pe J r . Aus t r i a Ma r t i ne z , Spe c i alSe c o n d Di v i s i o n] . 474

474



Te xasCompr e s s& War e hous eCo. v .Panhandl e& S. F.Rai l i ngCo. — .... Thi sp r i nc i p l ei sno tne wt o us .I n Ge uk e k ov .Ar a ne t a,t hi sCo ur tup he l dt he i nt e r p r e t a t i o no ft heDe p ar t me nto fAg r i c ul t ur ea ndCo mme r c eo fi t so wnr u l e so f

pr o c e d ur ei ns u s pe nd i ngt hepe r i o do fa ppe a le v e ni fs u c ha c t i o nwa sno whe r es t a t e d t he r e i n.Wes a i d— .... ...I tmus tb er e me mb e r e dt ha tLa nd sAd mi ni s t r a t i v eOr d e rNo .6i si nt hena t ur e o fp r o c e d ur a lr ul e sp r o mul g a t e db yt he Se c r e t a r yo fAg r i c ul t ur ea nd Na t ur a l Res our c es pur s uantt ot he power bes t owed on s ai d admi ni s t r at i ve agenc yt o pr omul gat er ul es and r egul at i ons nec es s ar y f or t he pr oper di s c har ge and ma na g e me nto ft hef unc t i o nsi mp o s e db yl a w up o ns a i do ffic e ....Re c o g ni z i ngt he e x i s t e nc eo fs uc hr ul e ma ki nga ut ho r i t y ,wha ti st hewe i g hto fa ni nt e r p r e t a t i o n g i v e nb ya na dmi ni s t r a t i v ea g e nc yt oi t so wn r u l e so rr e g u l a t i o ns ? Aut hori t i es

sus t ai nt hedoct ri net hatt hei nt erpret at i on gi ven t oarul eorregul at i on by t hosecharged wi t hi t sexecut i on i sent i t l ed t ot hegreat es twei ghtby t heCourtcons t rui ngs uchrul eorregul at i on,ands uchi nt erpret at i on wi l l bef ol l owed unl essi tappearst obecl earl yunreasonabl eorarbi t rary.( 4 2 Am.Jur .431)I thasal s obe e ns ai dt hat : .... The s ame pr e c e ptwasenunc i at ed i n Bag at s i ng v .Co mmi t t e eo n Pr i v at i z at i o n, whe r eweup he l dt hea c t i o no ft heCo mmi s s i o no nAud i t( COA)i nv a l i d at i ngt hes a l e o fPe t r o nCo r p o r a t i o nt oAr a mc oOv e r s e a sCo r 475

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po r a t i o no nt hebas i so fCOA’ si nt e r pr e t at i o no fi t so wnc i r c ul art hats e tbi ddi ngand a udi tg ui de l i ne so nt hedi s p o s alo fg o v e r nme nta s s e t s—

The COA i t s e l f ,t he a g e nc yt ha ta do p t e dt he r ul e so nb i d di ng p r o c e d ur et ob e f o l l o we db yg o v e r nme n to ffic e sand c o r p o r a t i o n s ,ha d up he l dt he v a l i d i t ya nd

nt erpret at i on ofan agencyofi t sown l e gal i t yo ft heque s t i o ne dbi ddi ng.Thei rul ess houl dbegi ven morewei ghtt han t hei nt erpret at i on byt hatagency . 6 3( Emp ha s i sa ndund e r s c o r i ngi n oft hel aw i ti smerel yt asked t oadmi ni st er t heo r i g i nal )

Thei nt e r pr e t at i o no fanyo ft heCo unc i l ’ sr ul e si sc o ns t i t ut i o nal l yaddr e s s e dt ot he Co unc i l ’ sdi s c r e t i o n.I ti st heo nl yc ons t i t ut i o nalbo dywi t ht hepo we rt oi nt e r pr e ti t s r ul e st od e t e r mi ne t he c o mp e t e n c e ,i nt e g r i t y , pr o b i t y , and i nd e p e nd e nc eo f appl i c a nt st ot hej udi c i ar y .Wec anno ts upe r i mpo s et hi sc o ur t ’ si nt e r pr e t at i o ne v e n i fi no urv i e wi two ul dbeabe t t e ro ne . The Rul esoft he Judi c i aland BarCounc i lc ont ai ns Rul e 10,Sec t i on 2 whi c h p r o v i d e s : t e sr e q ui r e dwhe ni nt e g r i t yo faq ual i fie dappl i c a nti sc hal l e n ge d. SEC.2. Vo —I n e v e r yc a s ewhe r et hei nt e gr i t yo fa na ppl i c a ntwhoi sno to t he r wi s edi s q ual i fie df o r no mi na t i o ni sr a i s e do rc ha l l e ng e dt hea ffir ma t i v ev o t eo fa l lt heMe mb e r so ft he Co unc i lmus tb eo b t a i ne df o rt hef a v o r a bl ec o ns i de r at i o no fhi sno mi na t i o n. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 63 I d. ,atpp.521523;pp.16716 8,c i t i ng Me l e ndr e s ,Jr .v .COMELEC,37 7Phi l . 275;377SCRA 275[ Pe J r .Yna r e s Sa nt i a go E , nBanc ] ;Ci t yGov e r nme ntofMakat i v .Ci v i lSe r v i c eCo mmi s s i o n,4 26Phi l .6 31 ,6 46 6 49 ;3 76SCRA 2 48 ,2 64 2 67( 2 00 2) J E [ Pe r. Be l l o s i l l o , nBanc ] . 476

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Thec u r r e n tme mb e r so ft hi sc o u r tma yha v et he i ro wnv i e wswi t hr e s p e c tt ot he wi s d o m o ft hi sr ul e .Fo ri ns t a nc e ,s o me ma yd i s a g r e e wi t ht he q ua l i fie dv o t e r e q ui r e me ntf o rq ue s t i o nso fi nt e g r i t y .Ot he r sma y pr e f e ra c l e a r e rde fini t i o no f wha ti nt e g r i t yma yme a no rwhoma yi n v o ket her ul ea swe l la st hep r o c e d ur ea f t e r i ti si nv o ke d.The s e ,ho we v e r ,r e fle c tpo l i c ypr e f e r e nc e swhi c har epr o p er l yaddr e s s e d t ot he c o n s t i t ut i o n alb o d yt o who m t he s o v e r e i g nd e l e g a t e dt he s e ma t t e r so f i nt e r pr e t a t i o n,i . e . ,t heJudi c i a landBarCo unc i l . The r ei s no t hi ng i nhe r e n t l y unc o n s t i t ut i o n al wi t h t he l a c k o fs t a t ut o r yo r pr o c e d ur a lde fini t i o no fi nt e g r i t y .Thi sr e ma i nswi t hi nt hepur v i e wo ft heme mb e r s o ft heCo unc i l .I ti sa ma t t e rt ha ti saddr e s s e dt ot he i rr e a s o n e dj udg me nt .The J udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i li sde s i g ne dt oa c tc o l l e g i a l l y .Thi si swhe r ec o nt e ndi ng v i e wsc o mi ngf r o mv a r i o uss e c t o r sa ffe c t e db ye v e r yno mi na t i o na ndr e p r e s e nt e di n t hedi s c us s i o nsma ybet a ke ni nt oc o ns i de r a t i o n.I nt e gr i t yc a nme a ndi ffe r e n tt hi ng s f o rdi ffe r e ntpe o p l e .Li k ea l ls i g ni fic a ntwo r ds ,i tha sas u ffic i e nts e to fme a ni ng s t ha tc a nf r a mee x pe c t a t i o nsbuta tt hes a met i mei sl e f tma l l e a bl et oa ddr e s st he ne e d sa tpr e s e nt .Thea c t swhi c hl e a dt oq ue s t i o nsr e l a t i ngt oi nt e g r i t yma yb e di ffe r e ntf o re ac hc a ndi da t e .Thus ,t hep as ta c t i o nso fa J us t i c eo ft heCo ur to f Appe al s ,aSo l i c i t o rGe ne r al ,o raDe ano faCo l l e g eo fLa w whoi sas pi r i ngf o rt he po s i t i o no fAs s o c i at eJus t i c eo ft hi sc o ur tt hatwi l lbeas s e s s e db yt heJudi c i aland Ba rCo unc i lwi l lb edi ffe r e n t . Ass e e ni nt hede bat e si nt hemi nut e so ft heme e t i ngo ft heCo unc i ls ubmi t t e dt ous t hr o ug hi t ss up pl e me nt a lc o mme nt ,t hel a c ko fi nt e g r i t yc o ul db es e e nt hr o ug ha c t s whi c hd i r e c t l yo ri ndi r e c t l yc o ul db ec o ns i de r e da sdi s h o ne s ta nd c o r r up twhi c h r e s ul ti ns o mei l l i c i tpe c u ni ar yb e ne fitt ot hea ppl i c a nt .Fo rt hepr i nc i pa ll e g al c o uns e lo fg o v e r n me ntt a s k e dt oo v e r s e ear b i t r a t i o nt op r o t e c to urc l a i mst oo ur ma r i t i mer e s o ur c e s , l a c ko fi nt e g r i t yc a nme a nune x pl a i ne dde c i s i o nswhi c hputt hi s i mpo r t a nti ni t i at i v ei npe r i l . 477

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I ti sno tf o rust omaket he s ej udg me nt ss i mpl yb ec a us ei ti sno to urc o ns t i t ut i o na l dut yt odos o . Ne i t he ri st he r ea ny t hi ngs t r ang ewi t haqua l i fie dv o t e . Ev e no urCo ns t i t ut i o np r o v i de sf o rq ua l i fie dv o t e sf o rs o mes o v e r e i g na c t ss uc ha s t hepr o c e s s e sf o rt hea me ndme nto fo urCo ns t i t ut i o n. 6 4Aq ua l i fie dv o t eund e r s c o r e s t hei mp o r t a nc eo ft hema t t e rund e rs c r u t i n y .Oft hef o urr e q ui r e me nt s— p r o b i t y , i nt e g r i t y ,c o mpe t e nc e ,a ndi nd e pe nde nc e— i tma yha v ebe e nt hepo l i c yde c i s i o no f t heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i lt og i v ei mpo r t anc et oi nt e gr i t y . The r ear ev e r ypl aus i bl er e as o nsf o rt hi spo l i c y . I nt hi sc o ur t ,i ti st hequal i t yo fi nt e gr i t yo fe ac hme mbe rt hati ns p i r e sust oha v e t hec o ur a g et ous eo urc o ns t i t ut i o na ld ut yt os p e ak t opo we r .Wes p e ak t op o we r whe t he rt hi si ss o ur c e df o r mal l yf r o mt heaut ho r i t yo ft heCo ns t i t ut i o no ri nf o r mal l y whe ni tc o me sf r o mt hepo l i t i c a li nflue nc e ,c o mme r c i a ls t andi ng ,o rt heab i l i t yo fa p ar t y ,l i t i g a nt ,o rl a wy e rt o mo l d me d i a o p i ni o n . Whi l et he o r e t i c a l l y a nd c o ns t i t ut i o na l l yp r o t e c t e d ,wear eho und e db yt hes a mehuma nf e a r sa sa nyp e r s o n o c c u py i ngap ub l i co ffic e .Weal lkno wt ha twedi s g r a c et hepr i v i l e g eo fo uro ffic ei f wes uc c umbt of e a ro rf a v o r . Mo r et ha na nyo t he rq ua l i t y , i nt e g r i t ye mb o l d e nsust os e p ar a t et he“ wha t ”f r o mt he “ who ” :t hati s ,t ode c i def o rwhati sr i g ht— i nt hel i g hto ft hel a w andpr i nc i pl e— r a t he rt ha nc o ns i d e rwhoi twi l li nc i d e nt a l l ya nd i mme d i a t e l yb e ne fit .Gi v i ngi t p r i mo r d i a li mp o r t a nc et hr o ug h as t r i c t e rv o t i ngr e q ui r e me ntwhe ni n v o ke di sno t be r e f to fr e as o n.I ti sno ta r bi t r a r y ,c a pr i c i o us ,o rwhi ms i c a l . The r ea r eme mb e r so ft hi sc o ur twhof e e lt ha tt hei n v o c a t i o nb yo neme mb e ro ft he Co unc i lo ft hi sr u l eo ni nt e g r i t ywi t ho uta nyd i s c us s i o na mo unt st oav e t oo fi t s c o l l e gi alnat ur e .Ther e c o r dss ubmi t t e dt ousar ec l e ar : ( 1)di s c us s i o ns _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 64 Co ns t . ,Ar t .XVI I I . 478

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e n s u e dwhe ni twa si n v o k e da nd( 2 )a l lme mb e r so ft heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l , af t e rt hebas i so ft heo bj e c t i o nhadbe e nl ai do utc l e ar l ybe f o r et he m,agr e e dt hati t bei nv o ke d. 65The r ewasnov i o l at i o no ft hec o l l e g i at enat ur eo ft heCo unc i l . TheRul e sp e r mi t same mb e ro ft heCo unc i lt oi n v o k et her ul e .TheChi e fJ us t i c e , whoi st h e e xo ffic i o c hai ro ft heCo unc i l ,i ni t i al l ymani f e s t e dt hats hewasi nv o ki ng t her ul ei nt hee x e c ut i v es e s s i o no ft heCo unc i lo nJune5 ,2 014. 66 A di s c us s i o nt o o k pl ac edur i ngt hee x e c ut i v es e s s i o no n June16,2014r e g ar di ng Rul e10 ,Se c t i o n2.Thus , i nt hemi nut e sa ss ub mi t t e dt ot hi sc o ur t : Se c r e t a r yd eLi mai nq ui r e dwhe t he rt heChi e fJ us t i c ewo ul ds t i l li n v o keRul e1 0, Se c .2 o ft he J BC0 0 9( J BC Rul e s )n o t wi t hs t a nd i ng t he v o t eo fa l lt he o t he r member s .She c aut i oned t hat t her e may be a l o tofe xpl ai ni ng t o do on t he i nv o c a t i o no ft heRul e . .... Att hi sj unc t ur e ,Co ngr e s s man Tupass ugg e s t e d ar e vi e wo ft he JBC Rul e so n i nt e gr i t yandwe nto nt or e a dt hepr o v i s i o nsi nRul e10,Se c t i o n2,t he r e o f : .... Co ng r e s s ma nTup ass t r e s s e dt hene e dt oc a r e f ul l ye x a mi net heRul e ss i nc et hi si s t hefir s tt i met hatt heRul ewi l lb ei nv o ke d.Fo ri ns t a nc e ,hepo i s e dt heque s t i o no f ho w manyvot esmus tac andi dat egar nerwhent heaffir mat i vevo t eo fal lMember s o ft heCo unc i li sr e q ui r e dunde rRul e10 ,Se c . 2.The r ei sal s ot hemat t e ro fwhoc an r a i s eo rc ha l l e ng et hei nt e gr i t yo fa na ppl i c a nt :mus ti tber a i s e db yaMe mbe r ,o r c an a nonMe mbe rr ai s e orc hal l e nge undert he Rul e .Atwhat s t ag e ma yt he c hal l e ng e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

65 Judi c i aland BarCounci lSuppl ement alComment Repl y ,Anne x B,pp.14, Mi nut e so ft heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lEx e c ut i v eSe s s i o nHe l do nJ une1 6,2 01 4. 66 Judi c i aland BarCounci lSuppl ement alComment Repl y ,Anne x A,pp.12, Mi nut e so ft heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lEx e c ut i v eSe s s i o nHe l do nJ une5 ,2 01 4. 479

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o nt he i nt e g r i t yo fa na pp l i c a ntb er a i s e d ?Sho ul dt he r eb e a ne e df o ra p r i o r c o mpl ai nto ro b j e c t i o n? Sec r et ar yDeLi ma c omment edt hatt he Rul esdono ts aywhe t hert hec hal l enge mus tb ema deb yani ns i d e ro ra no ut s i d e r . 6 7 Themi nut e so ft hee x e c ut i v es e s s i o nund o ub t e d l ys ho wt ha tt heme mb e r so ft he Counc i lwer e awar e oft he i mpor toft he r ul e and i t sc onse quenc es .When t he Co u nc i lme ta g a i no nJ une30 ,2 0 14 : A di s c us s i o no nRul e10,Se c t i o n2o fJBC009( JBC Rul e s )f o l l o we d.Co ngr e s s man Tupa sas k e di ft heRul ei sb e i ngag ai ns tac a ndi da t e , wi l lt hena meo ft hec a ndi da t e r e ma i n.TheCo unc i luna ni mo us l ya gr e e dt ha tt hena meo fc a nd i d at ewi l ls t i l lb e par to ft hebal l o t . 68 Thee x c e r p t so ft hemi nut e ss ho wt ha tt heCo unc i l ,a sac o l l e g i a lb o d y ,no to nl y a l l o we dt hei n v o c a t i o no fi t so wnr u l e sb yaCo unc i lme mb e r ,b uta l s oa gr e e dt ha t pe t i t i o ne r ’ sna mewo ul ds t i l lbepa r to ft heb al l o t ,de s p i t ekno wl e dg et ha themi g ht no tg e tauna ni mo usv o t e . 6 9 Thi si ndi c a t e st ha tt heCo unc i lwa nt e dt os e et heac t ua lv o t e sf o rac a ndi da t e . The r e c a nb enoo t he rc o nc l us i o ne x c e p tt ha tt heCo unc i lr e q ui r e dauna ni mo usv o t eo fa l l t he o t her member se xc l udi ng t he me mberwho i nvo ked t he r ul e on i nt egr i t y .

Ex c l udi ngt hevo t eoft heChi e fJus t i c e ,pe t i t i o ne rs t i l lf ai l e dt ogar ne runani mi t yo f t her e ma i ni ngme mb e r s . Her e c e i v e df o ur( 4 )v o t e so ft hepo s s i bl efiv e( 5) . 70 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 67 Judi c i aland BarCounci lSuppl ement alComment Repl y ,Anne x B,pp.12, mi nut e so ft heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lEx e c ut i v eSe s s i o nhe l do nJ une1 6,2 01 4. 6 8J ud i c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i lSup pl e me n t a lCo mme n t Re p l y ,Anne xC,p .6 ,mi nut e s o ft heJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lEx e c ut i v eSe s s i o nhe l do nJ une3 0,2 01 4. 69 I d. ,atp.6. 70 I d. ,atp.7 .

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Cl e a r l y ,i twa sno tt hewi l lo fo nl yo neme mb e r( t heChi e fJ us t i c e )whi c hg o v e r ne d. The i nv o c a t i o no ft he r ul e wa sc o l l e g i a l l y di s c us s e d.Cl e ar l y ,t he e x c l us i o no f pe t i t i o ne rf r o mt hel i s twasaunani mo usCo unc i lde c i s i o n. Wea r eno tp r e s e nt e dwi t has i t ua t i o nwhe r eo nl yo neme mb e ri n v o ke dt hei nt e g r i t y r u l ea ndt her e ma i ni ngme mb e r swe r euna ni mo usi ns t i l li nc l ud i ngt hena meo ft he appl i c anto bj e c t e dt oi nt hel i s t .Thi si sno tt hes i t uat i o nt hatg av er i s et ot hei s s ue s i nt hi sc a s e .Thee x er c i s eo ft hepo we ro fj udi c i alr e v i e w mus tbenar r o wl yt ai l o r e di n t hel i g hto ft hef a c t spr e s e nt e db ef o r eus .I ti sno to urdut yt ode c l a r ean a c ta s unc o n s t i t ut i o nalo nt hebas i so fs p e c ul a t i v ef a c t swhi c hc o u l dha ppe ni nt hef ut ur e . Wea r eno tc o ns t i t ut i o na l l ye mpo we r e dt opr o v i dea dv i s o r yo p i ni o ns .Ne i t he rwo ul d i tbee qui t ab l et ode c l ar eanac tasunc o ns t i t ut i o nalo nt hebas i so ff ac t swhi c hha v e no ty e tha pp e ne d .

Thi so pi ni o ni s ,t he r e f o r e ,l i mi t e dt ot heambi e ntf ac t so ft hi sc as e .Ir e s e r v eo pi ni o n f o ro t he rpo s s i b i l i t i e sr e l a t i ngt oRul e1 0,Se c t i o n2whi c hha v eno ty e tha ppe ne d. TheJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l ,no tt hi sc o ur t ,c o nt i nue st oha v et hepo we rt oa me nd i t sr ul e si nt he l i g htofs o me po s s i b i l i t i e st ha t ,i ni t sj udg me nt ,ma yr e s ul ti n i ne qui t y . Wi t hr e s pe c tt ot hef ac t so ft hi sc a s e,t hei nt e r pr e t at i o nandappl i c a t i o no ft her ul e b yt he Co unc i lwe r e no ti mp l a us i b l eo rbe r e f to fr e a s o n.He nc e ,t he c ha l l e n ge ag ai ns ti t sc o ns t i t ut i o nal i t ys ho ul df ai l .

VI The r ei snov i o l at i o no fduep r o c e s s

The c r u xo ft hi sp e t i t i o n wa st ha tp e t i t i o ne r wa sa l l e g e d l yd e pr i v e do fhi s c o ns t i t ut i o na lr i g htt od uep r o c e s swhe n hewa sno tg i v e na no p po r t uni t yt ob e he a r d wi t hr e g ar dt ot he q ue s t i o ns a g ai ns th i si nt e g r i t y .He i mpl i e d l yi n v o ke s Ar t i c l eI I I ,Se c t i o n1o ft heCo ns t i t ut i o nwhi c hs t at e st hat :

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Nope r s o ns hal lbede pr i v e do fl i f e ,l i be r t y ,o rpr o pe r t ywi t ho utd uepr o c e s so ft he l a w.... I nWhi t eLi g htCo r po r at i o nv . Ci t yo fMani l a, 71t hi sc o ur ts ai d:

...Duep r o c e s se v a d e sa p r e c i s ed e fini t i o n.Thep ur p o s eo ft heg ua r a nt yi st o pr e v e nta r b i t r a r yg o v e r nme nt ale nc r o ac hme nta g ai ns tt hel i f e ,l i be r t yandpr o p e r t y o fi ndi v i dual s .Theduepr o c e s sg uar a nt ys e r v e sasa pr o t e c t i o na ga i ns ta r b i t r a r y r e g ul a t i o no rs e i z ur e .Ev e nc o r po r a t i o nsa nd pa r t ne r s h i psa r ep r o t e c t e db yt he g uar a nt yi ns o f ara st he i rp r o pe r t yi sc o nc e r ne d. The d ue p r o c e s sg ua r a nt y ha st r a d i t i o n al l yb e e ni nt e r p r e t e da si mp o s i ng t wo r e l a t e db ut di s t i nc tr e s t r i c t i o ns o ng o v e r nme nt ,“ pr o c e d ur a ldue pr o c e s s ”a nd “ s ubs t a nt i v eduepr o c e s s . ”Pr o c e dur alduepr o c e s sr e f e r st ot hepr o c e dur e st ha tt he g o v e r nme ntmus tf o l l o w be f o r ei tde pr i v e sa pe r s o no fl i f e ,l i b e r t y ,o rpr o p e r t y . Pr o c e d ur a ld ue p r o c e s sc o n c e r nsi t s e l fwi t hg o v e r nme nta c t i o na dhe r i ng t ot he e s t a bl i s h e dp r o c e s swhe ni tma ke sa ni nt r u s i o ni nt ot hepr i v a t es p he r e .Ex amp l e s r a ng ef r o mt hef o r mo fno t i c eg i v e nt ot hel e v e lo ff o r mal i t yo fahe ar i ng . 72 Be f o r et heduepr o c e s sc l a us eo ft heCo ns t i t ut i o nma yb ei nv o k e d,t he r emus tfir s t beane nc r o ac hme ntt oo ne ’ s“ l i f e ,l i be r t y ,o rpr o pe r t y . ”Pe t i t i o ne rc ar r i e st hebur de n o fs h o wi ngt ha ta na c to fg o v e r n me nta ffe c t sani ndub i t a bl ev e s t e dr i g htp r o t e c t e d b yt heCo ns t i t ut i o n. Thi sc o ur tc l a r i fie dt hec o n c e pto fav e s t e dr i g hti n ABAKADA Gur oPar t yLi s tv . Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar yEr mi t a: 73 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7 15 96Phi l .4 44 ;5 7 6SCRA4 16( 2 00 9)[ Pe J r . Ti ng a E , nBanc ] . I d. pe zv .Di r e c t o ro fLands,47Phi 72 ,atp.461;p.435,c i t i n gLo l .23,32( 1924)[ Pe r J. Jo hns o n E , nBanc ] . 7 3 G. R.No .1 68 05 6,Oc t o b e r1 8,2 00 5,4 69SCRA1 0[ Re s o l ut i o n E , nBanc ,De c i s i o n pennedb J y .Aus t r i a Ma r t i ne z ] .

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Thec o n c e p to f“ v e s t e dr i g ht ”i sac o n s e que nc eo ft hec o n s t i t ut i o na lg uar a nt yo fdue pr o c e s st ha te x p r e s s e sapr e s e ntfix e di nt e r e s twhi c hi nr i g htr e a s o na ndna t ur a l j us t i c ei spr o t e c t e d ag ai ns tar bi t r ar ys t at e ac t i o n;i ti nc l ude sno to nl yl e g alo r e q u i t a b l et i t l et ot he e n f o r c e me n to fa d e ma nd b uta l s oe x e mp t i o n sf r o m ne w

ght sarecons i der ed o b l i g at i o nsc r e a t e da f t e rt he r i g htha sb e c o me v e s t e d . Ri ves t ed when t he r i ght t o enj oyment i s a pr es ent i nt er es t , absol ut e, uncondi t i onal ,andperf ectorfixedandi rref ut abl e . 7 4( Emp ha s i ss uppl i e d )

Nov e s t e dr i ghtt obeno mi nat e d

Nope r s o nhasac o ns t i t ut i o nal l yve s t e dr i g htt obeno mi nat e dt oaj udi c i alpo s i t i o n. J us tb e c a us ea p e r s o n me e t st heq ua l i fic a t i o nsdo e sno te nt i t l ehi m o rhe rt oa no mi na t i o n.TheJ ud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lmus tr e nd e rafind i ngo fhi so rhe rfit ne s s whi c hr e s ul t si nt hei nc l us i o no fhi so rhe rna mei nt hel i s t .A no mi na t i o ni sno ta r i g htt hati spr o t e c t e db yt heduepr o c e s sc l aus eoft heCo ns t i t ut i o n.I ti sr a t he ra pr i v i l e g eg r a nt e dt oo newhoha ss u c c e s s f ul l yp as s e dt hea ppl i c a t i o n pr o c e s sand ha squa l i fie d . The a t t a i nme n to ft he ma j o r i t yv o t eo fCo u nc i lme mb e r si s no ta n“ a b s o l ut e , unc o n di t i o nal ,a ndpe r f e c to rfix e dandi r r e f ut a bl e ” 7 5b as i st og ar ne rapl ac ei nt he s ho r tl i s t .Asdi s c us s e d,unde rt hepr e s e ntr ul e s ,whe ni nt e gr i t yi sats t ake ,t hevo t e r e q u i r e me n tma ybeuna ni mi t yi nt hev ot eo ft her e ma i ni ngme mb e r se x c l ud i ngt he me mb e rwhoi nv o k e dRul e1 0,Se c t i o n2o ft her ul e so ft heJ udi c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l . Mo r e o v er ,t hel i s to fqual i fie dc a ndi dat e si ss t i l ls ubj e c tt ot hefinalde l i be r at i o no f t heCo unc i li na ne x e c u t i v es e s s i o nb e f o r et hel i s ti ss ub mi t t e dt ot h eOffic eo ft he Pr e s i de nt . 76 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I d. mv .Si bul o,4 74 ,c i t i n gLaho 5 3Phi l .9 8 7;4 0 6SCRA 1 3 5( 2 0 03 )[ Pe rJ. Vi t ug , Fi r s tDi v i s i o n] . 75 I d. 7 6 Se c t i o n6 ,J BC1 0.

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As s umi ng ar g ue ndo ,pr o c e dur aldue pr o c e s si s no tas t e c hni c alas c l ai me d by pe t i t i o ne r

Fa i r n es sa se mbo di e di nt heduepr o c e s sc l a us eo ft heCo ns t i t ut i o nt a ke si t sf o r mi n r e l a t i o nt ot her i g hti nv o ke da ndt hef o r um whe r ei ti si nv o ke d.Ce r t ai nl y ,whe nt he a c c u s e di nv o ke shi so rhe rr i g hti nc r i mi nalt r i a l ,t hi st a ke st hef o r ma mo ngo t he r s o ft he r i g htt of ul l b l o wn c r o s s e x a mi na t i o no fa l lwi t ne s s e spr e s e n t e db yt he pr o s e c ut i o n.Fo ra p pl i c a nt st oav a c a nc yi nt heSupr e meCo ur ta ndi nt hepr o c e s so f t he J ud i c i a la nd Ba r Co u nc i l ,t he r i g ht t ob ec o n s i d e r e df o rp ur p o s e so fa n a s s e s s me nto fhi so rhe rq ua l i fic a t i o nsandfit ne s sa l s oc e r t a i nl ydo e sno tr e q ui r ea f o r um f o rc r o s s e x a mi na t i o n.TheCo unc i li sp o s s e s s e dwi t hawi del a t i t udet odr a w i nf o r mat i o ns ot hati tma y ,c o ns i s t e ntwi t hi t sc o ns t i t ut i o naldut y ,makeas e l e c t i o n o fa tl e a s tt hr e e( 3 )name sf r o m afie l do fs oman ya ppl i c a nt s . TheCo ns t i t ut i o ndo e sno tr e q ui r eas p e c i ficp r o c e d ur ewhe t he ri nt e r mso fapr o c e s s o ra r e q ui r e dv o t e .Thes p a r s el a ng ua g eo ft heCo ns t i t ut i o nl e a v e si tup t ot he Co unc i lt ode c i deo nt he s ede t ai l s .TheCo unc i lo nl yne e dst of o l l o wi t so wnr ul e s .I t i se n t i r e l ypo s s i b l e ,a tmi ni mum,t hatf a i r ne s sandduep r o c e s sb ea l r e a dyme twhe n

t hea pp l i c a nti sgi v e nt heo p po r t uni t yt os u b mi twha t e v e ri nf o r ma t i o n heo rs h e de e msi mpo r t a nts u bj e c to nl yt or e a s o na bl er e q ui r e me nt so ff o r m. Ev e na s s u mi ng ,o nl yf o rt hes a k eo fa r g ume nt ,t ha tpe t i t i o ne ri sr i g htwi t h hi s i ns i s t e nc eo npr o c e dur a lduepr o c e s s ,t hi sc o ur t ’ sr e s p o ns ei sbe s ts e e nt hr o ug ht he pr i s mo ft hec o nc u r r i ngo p i ni o no fJ us t i c eBr i o ni n Pe r e zv .Phi l i ppi neTe l e gr aph andTe l e phoneCo mpany: 77 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7 76 02Phi l .5 22 ;5 8 4SCRA1 10( 2 00 9)[ Pe J r . Co r o na E , nBanc ] . 484

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Ati t smo s tbas i c ,pr o c e dur alduepr o c e s si sabo utf ai r ne s si nt hemo deo fpr o c e dur e t obef o l l o we d.I ti sno tano v e lc o nc e p t ,buto net hatt r a c e si t sr o o t si nt hec o mmo n l a w pr i nc i pl eofnat ur a lj us t i c e . Na t ur a lj us t i c ec o nno t e st he r e q ui r e me nt t ha ta dmi ni s t r a t i v et r i b una l s ,whe n r e a c h i ngade c i s i o n,mus td os owi t hpr o c e dur a lf a i r ne s s .I ft he ye r r ,t hes upe r i o r e r t i o r ar i c o ur t swi l ls t e pi nt oquas ht hede c i s i o nb yc o rpr e v e ntt hee r r o rb yawr i t o fpr o hi bi t i o n.Ther e qui r e me ntwasi ni t i al l yappl i e di napur e l yj udi c i alc o nt e xt ,but was s ubs equent l y e xt ended t o ex ec ut i ve r egul at or y f ac t findi ng, as t he a dmi ni s t r a t i v ep o we r so ft he Eng l i s hj us t i c e so ft he p e ac e we r et r a ns f e r r e dt o admi ni s t r at i ve bodi es t hat wer er equi r ed t o adopt s ome of t he pr oc edure s r e mi ni s c e nto ft ho s eus e di nac o ur t r o o m.Na t ur a lj us t i c ewa sc o mpr i s e do ft woma i n s ubr ul e s :a udia l t e r a mp ar t e m — t hataper s onmus tkno wt hec as eagai nsthi m moj ude xi ns uac a us ed e b ee s s e— a ndb eg i v e na no p po r t uni t yt oans we ri t ;a nd ne t her ul eag ai ns tb i as .St i l lmuc hl at e r ,t henat ur a lj us t i c epr i nc i pl ega ver i s et ot he dut yt ob ef a i rt oc o v e rg o v e r nme nt a lde c i s i o nswhi c hc a nno tb ec ha r a c t e r i z e da s j udi c i alo rquas i j udi c i ali nnat ur e .

t e r a m par t e m Whi l et heaudial r ul epr o v i de df o rt her i g htt obeno t i fie do ft hec as e a g a i ns thi m,t her i g htt ob r i nge v i d e nc e ,a ndt oma kea r g u me n t— whe t he ri nt he t r a di t i o na lj ud i c i a lo rt he a dmi ni s t r a t i v es e t t i ng — c o mmo nl a w ma i nt a i ne da di s t i nc t i o nbe t we e nt het wos e t t i ng s . A “ nadmi ni s t r at i vet r i bunalhadadut yt o acti n good f ai t h and t ol i s t en f ai rl yt o bot hs i des ,butnott ot re att he ques t i onasi fi twer eat ri al .Ther ewoul dbenonee dt oexami neunderoat h, noreve nt oexami newi t nes s esatal l .Anyot herproce durec oul dbeut i l i ze d whi chwoul dobt ai nt hei nf ormat i onre qui re d,asl ongast hepart i eshadan opport uni t yt oknow andt ocont radi ctanyt hi ng 485

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whi chmi ghtbepre j udi ci alt ot hei rcas e. ” 7 8( Emphas i ss uppl i e d) Thi sc ha r a c t e r i z a t i o no fduepr o c e s si sno twi t ho utp r e c e d e nt .I n Le de s mav .Co ur t o fAppe al s : 79 ...Duepr o c e s s ,a sac o ns t i t ut i o nalpr e c e pt ,do e sno ta l wa ysandi nal ls i t ua t i o ns r e q ui r eat r i a l t y pepr o c e e di ng .Duepr o c e s si ss a t i s fie dwhe nape r s o ni sno t i fie do f t hec ha r g eag a i ns thi ma ndg i v e na no p po r t uni t yt oe x pl a i no rd e f e ndhi ms e l f .I n a dmi ni s t r a t i v epr o c e e di ng s ,t hefil i ngo fc har g e sa ndg i v i ngr e a s o na bl eo ppo r t uni t y f o rt hep e r s o ns oc ha r g e dt oa ns we rt hea c c us a t i o nsa g ai ns thi m c o ns t i t ut et he mi ni mum r e q ui r e me nt so fd uepr o c e s s .Thee s s e nc eo fd uepr o c e s si ss i mp l yt ob e he a r d,o rasappl i e dt oadmi ni s t r at i v epr o c e e di ng s ,a no ppo r t uni t yt oe x pl a i no ne ’ s s i de ,o ra no ppo r t uni t yt os e e kar e c o ns i de r a t i o no ft heac t i o no rr ul i ngc o mpl ai ne d o f . 80 I P n i c hayv .Offic eo ft heEx e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar y: 2 1 9 ...I na dmi ni s t r a t i v ep r o c e e d i ng s ,t he fil i ng o fc h ar g e sa nd g i v i ng r e a s o na bl e o p po r t uni t yf o rt he p e r s o ns oc ha r g e dt oa ns we rt he a c c us a t i o ns a g ai ns thi m c o n s t i t ut et hemi ni mum r e q u i r e me n t so fd uepr o c e s s ,whi c hs i mp l yme a nsha v i ng

t heo ppo r t uni t yt oe x pl a i no ne ’ ss i de .He nc e ,asl o nga spe t i t i o ne rwasgi v e nt he o p p o r t u _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 78 I d. ,atpp.545546;pp.130131 ,c i t i ng D. P.Jo ne sa ndA.DeVi l l ar s , Pr i nc i pl e so f Admi ni s t r at i v eLa w,pp.148149( 1985e d. ) R ; i dg ev .Bal dwi n,[ 1963]2Al lE. R.66 ( H. L. ) . 7 95 65Phi l .7 31 ;5 4 1SCRA4 44( 2 00 7)[ Pe J r . Ti ng a,Se c o n dDi v i s i o n] . 80 I d. ,atp.740;pp.4514 52,c i t i ngCa y a g ov .Li na,4 89Phi l .7 35,75 07 51 ;4 49 SCRA29,4445[ Pe J r. Cal l e j o ,Sr . ,Se c ondDi v i s i o n] L ;i br e sv .NLRC,367Phi l .181 , 1 9 0;3 0 7SCRA6 7 5,6 8 3( 1 9 99 )[ Pe J r . Be l l o s i l l o ,Se c o ndDi v i s i o n] . 81

G. R. No . 196425, Jul y 24 , 2012 , 677 SCRA

40 8
j udi c i ar y . go v . ph/ j ur i s pr ude nc e / 2012/ j ul y 2012/ 196425. pdf >[ Pe r J. Pe r l a s Be r n ab e , EnBanc ] .

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ni t yt oe x pl a i nhi ss i deandpr e s e nte v i de nc e ,t her e q ui r e me nt so fduepr o c e s sa r e s a t i s f a c t o r i l yc o mpl i e d wi t hb e c a us ewha tt hel a wa bho r si san a bs o l ut el a c ko f o ppo r t uni t yt ob ehe ar d. 8 2 Ac c o r di ng l y ,t hee s s e nc eo fpr o c e dur alduepr o c e s si ss i mpl yt her i g htt obehe ar d. Pe t i t i o ne r ’ si ns i s t e nc e ,t he r e f o r e ,t ha tt h eCo unc i lmus ta dhe r et oa pr o c e dur e he s ug ge s t e d,us i nghi s i nt e r pr e t at i o no ft heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l ’ so wnr ul e s ,g oe s b e y o ndt hemi ni mum r e q ui r e db yj ur i s p r ud e nc e .

Pe t i t i o ne r

was

gi v e n

t he

o ppo r t uni t yt obehe a r d

Ther i g htt opr o c e dur a ld uepr o c e s sc a nno tb ede r i v e df r o ma ni nv o c a t i o no fRul e4, Se c t i o ns3a nd4o fJ BC0 09 ,whi c hs t a t e : s t i mo nyofpar t i e s SEC.3. Te . —TheCo unc i lmayr e c e i v ewr i t t e no ppo s i t i o nt oan a ppl i c a nto ng r o und o fhi smo r a lfit ne s sa nd,a ti t sdi s c r e t i o n,t heCo unc i l may r e c e i v et het e s t i mo nyo ft heoppo s i t o ratahe a r i ngc o n duc t e df o rt hepur p o s e ,wi t h dueno t i c et ot heappl i c a ntwhos ha l lb ea l l o we dt oc r o s s e x ami net heo ppo s i t o ra nd t oo ffe rc o unt e r v ai l i nge vi de nc e . SEC.4. Ano ny mo us c o mpl ai nt s. —Anonymous c ompl ai nt s agai nstan appl i c ant s h al lno tb eg i v e n duec o ur s e ,unl e s st he r ea ppe a r so ni t sf a c eapr o b ab l ec a us e s uffic i e ntt oe ng e nde rb e l i e ft hatt heal l e g at i o nsma ybet r ue .I nt hel at t e rc a s e ,t he Counci lmay e i t he r di r e c ta di s c r e e ti nv e s t i g at i o no rr e q ui r et he a ppl i c a ntt o c o mme ntt he r e o ni nwr i t i ngo rd ur i ngt hei nt e r v i e w.( Empha s i ss upp l i e d ) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 82 I d. ,c i t i ngCa y a g ov .Li na,G. R.No.149539,Januar y19,2005,449SCRA 29; Li br e sv .NLRC,367 Phi l .181;307 SCRA 675 ( 1999)[ Per J.Be l l o s i l l o ,Se c ond Di v i s i o n] Mo ; nt e ma y o rv .Bundal i an,453Phi l .158;405SCRA 264( 2003)[ Per J. A mput e rCo l l e g e Eas tRi z al ,e tal .v .I g nac i o,608Phi Puno ,Thi r dDi v i s i o n] ; MACo l . 4 3 6;5 9 0SCRA6 3 3( 2 0 09 )[ Pe J r . Chi c o Naz ar i o ,Thi r dDi v i s i o n] . 487

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Ac c o r di ngt ot he s epr o v i s i o ns ,t heCo unc i lma yr e c e i v ewr i t t e no ppo s i t i o na ndma y r e q ui r et heap pl i c a ntt oc o mme nto nt heo pp o s i t i o n.Theus eo ft hewo r d“ ma y ”i s

pe r mi s s i v e ,no tma nd at o r y . 8 3 TheCo unc i lr e t a i nst hedi s c r e t i o nt or e q ui r et ha t o ppo s i t i o nbewr i t t e n.I tal s or e t ai nst hedi s c r e t i o nno tt or e q ui r ec o mme nto nanyof t heo ppo s i t i o nfil e d.Thi sma yappl ywhe nt hebas i so ft heo ppo s i t i o ni st o ot r i v i alo r when t he member s det er mi ne t hatt hey ar e al r eady pos s e s s ed wi t hs uffic i ent i nf o r ma t i o n ne c e s s a r yf o rt he m t ov o t et he i rp r e f e r e nc e s .Butt hi si sno twha t ha pp e ne di nt hi sc a s e . Co nt r a r yt ope t i t i o ne r ’ sal l e gat i o ns ,pe t i t i o ne rwasgi v e nt heoppo r t uni t yt oe xpl ai n hi sv e r s i o no ft he f a c t st ha twe r eb as e dt oq ue s t i o n hi si nt e g r i t y .The Co unc i l i ns i s t e dt hatp e t i t i o ne rbeal l o we dt oe xpl ai nhi ss i de .Themi nut e so ft hee x e c ut i v e s e s s i o nd at e dJune1 6,2 01 4na r r a t e : Jus t i c e Lagman s t at ed t hatSol .Gen.Jar del ez a had a goo dr eput at i on,but c o ns i de r i ngt hes e r i o us ne s so ft heal l e g at i o nso nhi si nt e gr i t y ,hema yc hal l e ng et he pr o c e s s . Shes a i dt ha tf a i r ne s sdi c t a t e st ha th eb egi v e nduepr o c e s sandmo v e dt ha t So l .Ge n.Jar d e l e z abeal l o we dt oe xpl ai nhi ss i de . .... Af t e radi s c us s i o no ft hedi ffe r e nto pt i o ns ,At t y .Me j i ar e i t e r at e dJus t i c eLag man’ s mo t i o nt og i v eSo l .Ge n.J ar d e l e z aac ha nc et oe x pl a i n.Dul ys e c o nde d,t hemo t i o nt o i n vi t e So l .Ge n.J ar d e l e z at os h e dl i g hto nt he i s s ue sr a i s e da g ai ns thi m wa s a ppr o v e d . 8 4 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Offic eoft heOmbuds manv .Cour tofAppe al s,5 83 See 76Phi l .7 84 ,7 96 ;5 54SCRA 7 5 ,8 5( 2 0 08 )[ Pe r J.Car pi o ,Fi r s tDi v i s i o n] ,c i t i ng DeOc ampo v .Se c r e t ar yo f Jus t i c e ,5 15Phi l .7 02 ;4 80SCRA7 1( 2 00 6)[ Pe J r . Car p i o ,Thi r dDi v i s i o n] . 84 Judi c i alandBarCounc i lSuppl ement alComment Repl y ,Anne xB,mi nut esof t heJud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lEx e c ut i v eSe s s i o nhe l do nJ une1 6,2 01 4,p.3 .

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Whe npe t i t i o ne ra ppe a r e db e f o r et heCo unc i lo nJ une3 0,2 01 4,her e f us e dt oa ns we r t heal l e g at i o nsag ai ns thi ms i nc et heo bj e c t i o nswe r eno ti nwr i t i ng .Re pr e s e nt at i v e Tupa se v e na pp r o a c h e dpe t i t i o ne r ,ho p i ngt og e th i se x p l a na t i o n.Ho we v e r ,hewa s r e f us e d,aspe t i t i o ne rwasi ns i s t e nto nawr i t t e no ppo s i t i o n. 85 Fur t he r mo r e ,p e t i t i o n e rwa sp r o v i d e d wi t h av e n ue t oe x p l a i n hi ss i d eo nt he a f t e r no o no fJ une3 0,2 01 4wi t hr e s pe c tt ot hemat t e rr a i s e dag ai ns thi m.I ns t e a do f r e s p o ndi ngo nt hes ub s t a nc eo ft hema t t e rt oe nl i g ht e na ndc o nv i nc et heCo unc i lo f hi si nt e gr i t y , hec ho s et oe mphas i z et hepr o c e dur a las pe c to fhi sc l ai ms .Rat he rt han pr o v i det heCo unc i lwi t ht hes ub s t a nt i alar g ume nt st ode f e ndhi si nt e gr i t y ,hec ho s e t ofindt hepr o c e dur a lpat h de f aul t i ngi nt heo ppo r t uni t yt oa s s i s tt heCo unc i li n as s e s s i nghi sfit ne s s A . st heSol i c i t orGe ne r ali st hepr i nc i pall e galc ouns e lof gove r nme nt ,wec oul das s umet hatt he r ewoul dhavebe e nnot hi ngami s sf or hi mt os t at ehi ss ubst ant i alar gument sar guendo. Pe t i t i o n e ra p p e ar e dt oha v ea b a nd o ne dhi sa r g ume n tus i ngJ BC0 0 9whe nhefil e d hi sr e pl y , s t at i ngt hat“ [ r ] e l i anc eo nSe c t i o ns3and4o fJ BC009i smi s pl ac e d . ” 86He ar gued i ns t ead t hatSec t i on 2 ofJBC10,o r“ Rul et o Fur t herPr omot e Publ i c Awar e ne s so fandAc c e s s i bi l i t yt ot hePr o c e e di ng so ft heJudi c i alandBarCo unc i l , ” r e q ui r e s“ c o mpl a i nt sa ndo ppo s i t i o nst obei nwr i t i nga ndunde ro a t h. ” 8 7Se c t i o n2 s t a t e s :

SEC.2 . Thec o mp l a i nto ro p po s i t i o ns h al lb ei nwr i t i ng ,und e ro a t ha ndi nt e n( 1 0) l e gi bl ec o pi e s ,t o ge t he rwi t hi t ss uppo r t i nganne x es .I ts hal ls t r i c t l yr e l at et ot he qual i fic a t i o nso ft hec andi dat eo rl ac kt he r e o f ,aspr o 489

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v i d e df o ri nt he Co ns t i t ut i o n,s t a t ut e s ,a nd t he Rul e so ft he J ud i c i a la nd Ba r Co unc i l ,aswe l lasr e s o l ut i o nso rr e g ul at i o nspr o mul g at e db yi t . TheSe c r e t ar yo ft heCo unc i ls ha l lf ur ni s ht hec a ndi da t eac o p yo ft hec o mpl a i nto r o ppo s i t i o nag ai ns thi m.Thec a ndi da t es h al lha v efiv e( 5 )da y sf r o mr e c e i p tt he r e o f wi t hi nwhi c ht ofil ehi sc o mme ntt ot hec o mpl a i nto ro p po s i t i o n,i fhes ode s i r e s . I nt hefir s tp l a c e ,p e t i t i o ne rwa st heo newhor e l i e do nJ BC0 09t of o r mul a t ehi s a r g ume ntt ha th ewa sde p r i v e do fd uepr o c e s s .Onpa ge7o fhi sp e t i t i o n,heal l e g e d t hat“ [ t ] he[ Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l ]gr a v e l yabus e di t sdi s c r e t i o nwhe ni td e ni e d pe t i t i o ne rt hema nda t o r yduepr o c e s ss a f e g uar d sunde ri t so wnr ul e s , ”c i t i ngRul e4, Se c t i o n s3 a nd4o fJ BC0 0 9.Hec a n no t ,b ywa yo fr e p l y ,s ud de n l ya b and o nt ha t a r g ume nta ndi ns i s to nadi ffe r e ntp r o v i s i o n. Ther e l uc t a nc eo ft heChi e fJ us t i c et op utt hema t t e ri n wr i t i ngwa sr e a s o n ab l e c o n s i de r i ngt hati twa sama t t e ro fnat i o na ls e c ur i t y .Ac c o r d i ngt ot h emi nut e so f t hee x e c ut i v es e s s i o nhe l do nJ une3 0,2 0 14 ,“ t heMe mb e r sag r e e dt ha ti ti sbe s t t hatt hi sbeke p tasc o nfide nt i a la spo s s i b l et oa v o i dpr o b l e msf o rt hec o unt r y . ” 8 8 Thec o nfid e nt i a l i t yo b s e r v e db yt heCo unc i lwa sno tf o rt hep ur p o s eo fd e ny i ng pe t i t i o ne rhi sr i g ht s .TheCo unc i lme r e l yha dt heb e s ti nt e r e s t so ft henat i o ni n mi nd. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 88 Judi c i alandBarCounc i lSuppl ement alComment Repl y ,Anne xC,mi nut esof t heJud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lEx e c ut i v eSe s s i o nhe l do nJ une3 0,2 01 4,p.4 . 490

490



VI I At i mepe r i o dmandat e dbyt heCo ns t i t ut i o n c a nno tbede f e r r e dbyi nj unc t i v ewr i t

Pe t i t i o ne rr e q ue s t st hei s s ua nc eo fa ni nj unc t i v ewr i to ra t e mpo r a r yr e s t r ai ni ng o r d erag ai ns tt hePr e s i de nto ft heRe publ i co ft hePhi l i ppi ne s .Thi sc anno tbedo ne . Fi r s t ,t hePr e s i de nti sno tapa r t ya ndc o u l dno tbeapa r t yt ot hi sc a s e . 8 9I ti st he Exe c ut i veSec r e t ar y who wasi mpl eaded asa part yr es pondent .Ast owhy t he Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r ywa sma der e s p o nde nti sk no wno nl yt ope t i t i o ne r . Thepo we rt oap po i ntme mb e r so ft hej ud i c i a r yf r o m al i s to fna me st r a ns mi t t e db y t heJ ud i c i a la nd Ba rCo unc i li sa p r e r o g a t i v eo ft hePr e s i d e ntwhi c hc a nno tb e de l e g at e dt ot heEx e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar y .Thus ,f o ri s s ue sr a i s e db ype t i t i o ne randf o r t her e l i e fhepr a y sf o r ,t heEx e c ut i v eSe c r e t ar yc a nno ta c ta san a l t e re goo ft he Pr e s i de nt . Se c o n d,Ar t i c l e VI I I ,Se c t i o n4 ( 1 )o ft he Co ns t i t ut i o nc l e ar l y pr o v i de sf o ra c o ns t i t ut i o na lpe r i o df o rma ki nga ppo i nt me nt st ot hi sc o ur t .Thus : Sec t i o n 4. ( 1) The Supr e me Co ur ts hal lbec o mpo s e do fa Chi e fJus t i c e and f o ur t e e n As s o c i at eJus t i c e s .I tma ys i tEnBanco ri ni t sdi s c r e t i o n,i n di v i s i o no f t hr e e ,fiv e ,o rs e v e nMe mb e r s A . nyv ac ancys hal lbefil l e d wi t hi n ni ne t yday s f r om t heoc cur r e ncet he r e of . I D n eCas t r ov .Judi c i alandBarCo unc i l , 90t hi sc o ur tc l ar i fie d: [ T] he us a g ei n Se c t i o n4 ( 1 ) ,Ar t i c l e VI I Io ft he wo r ds ha l l— a ni mp e r a t i v e , o p e r a t i ngt oi mp o s ead ut yt ha tma yb e

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 89 Se eLo z a dav .Pr e s i de ntGl o r i aMa c a pa g al Ar r o y o,G. R.No s .1 84 37 98 8,Apr i l 24,2012,670SCRA 545,559560[ Per J. Se r e no E , n Banc ]o ni t sdi s c us s i o no n pr e s i de nt i a li mmuni t yf r o ms ui t s . 90 Supra no t e3 8. 491

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e n f o r c e d— s h o u l d no tb ed i s r e g a r d e d .Thereby,Sect i on 4( 1)i mposeson t he

Pr es i dentt hei mper at i vedut yt omakean appoi nt mentofaMemberoft he Supreme Courtwi t hi n 90daysf r om t he occ urr enceoft he vacancy .The f ai l ur e by t he Pr es i dent t o do s o wi l lbe a cl ear di s obedi ence t ot he Const i t ut i on. 9 1( Empha s i ss upp l i e d ) TheCo n s t i t ut i o nma nd at e st ha tt hePr e s i d e ntma k ea na p po i nt me n t9 0da y sf r o m t heo c c ur r e nc eo ft hev ac a nc y .J us t i c eAb ad’ sr e t i r e me nto nhi sbi r t hda ywhi c hwa s Ma y2 2,2 01 4c a us e dt hev ac a nc yi nt hepr e s e ntc o ur t .ThePr e s i de nt ,t he r e f o r e ,ha s unt i lAugus t20,2014 t o make an appoi nt mentf ort he vac ancy .A t empor ar y r e s t r ai ni ngo r d e ri sa wr i ti ne q ui t ypr o v i de df o ro nl yi nt her ul e so fpr o c e dur e pr o mul g at e db yt hi sc o ur t . 9 2 Thi sc o u r tc a nno t ,b ywa yo ft e mpo r a r yr e s t r a i ni ng o r de r ,de l a yt her u nni ngo ft hepe r i o dmandat e dbyt heCo ns t i t ut i o n. Thi r d,i two ul db e hi g hl yi r r e g ul a ra nd a v i o l a t i o no ft he e t hi c a lr ul e so ft he pr o f e s s i o nf o rt hepr e s e ntSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a lt or e q ue s tf o ran i nj unc t i v ewr i to ra t e mpo r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r de ra gai ns tt hePr e s i de ntwhoi shi sc l i e ntandpr i nc i pal .

Ev e na s s umi ng ,f o rt hes a k eo fa r g u me nt ,t ha tat e mp o r a r yr e s t r a i ni ngo r d e rma y b ei s s u e dt or e s t r a i nt he Pr e s i d e nt f r o m p e r f o r mi ng hi sc o ns t i t ut i o na ldut y , pe t i t i o ne rha sno ts ho wn pr o o ft ha thei se nt i t l e dt oi t si s s u anc e .I n Phi l i ppi ne Sc ho o lo fBus i ne s sAdmi ni s t r at i o nv . Ho n.To l e n t i no Ge n i l o, 93t hi sc o ur ts t at e d: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 91 I d. ,atp p.737738,c i t i n gDi z o nv .Enc ar nac i o n,1 19Phi l .2 0;9SCRA7 14( 1 96 3) [ Pe J r. Co nc e p c i o n E , nBanc ] . 92 Se e Rul e so fCi v i lPr o c e dur e , Se c . 58. 9 34 88Phi l .4 46 ;4 4 7SCRA4 42( 2 00 4)[ Pe J r .Gar c i a,Thi r dDi v i s i o n] .

492

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Ther e qui s i t e sf o rpr e l i mi nar yi nj unc t i v er e l i e far e :( a)t hei nv as i o no fr i ghts o ug ht t obepr o t e c t e di smat e r i alands ubs t ant i al ;( b)t her i g hto ft hec o mpl ai nanti sc l e ar a ndunmi s t a ka bl e ;a nd( c )t he r ei sa nur g e nta ndpa r a mo untne c e s s i t yf o rt hewr i t t opr e v e nts e r i o usd ama ge . 9 4 The r ei snor i g htt ha te x i s t st ha tc o ul db epr o t e c t e db yt hei s s uanc eo fat e mpo r a r y r e s t r a i ni ngo r de rs i nc ep e t i t i o ne rha snov e s t e dr i g ht .Heha sno ts h o wn t ha the p o s s e s s e sa c l e a ra nd unmi s t a ka bl er i g ht .The r e f o r e ,t he r ei s no ma t e r i a la nd s ub s t ant i a li nv as i o nt ha tmus tb epr e v e nt e dt hr o ug hawr i tf r o mt hi sc o ur t .

VI I I Tog r antt her e l i e f spr a y e df o rbype t i t i o ne r

i ne q ui t abl ypr e j udi c e st her i g ht so ft hi r dpar t i e s no ti mpl e a de di nt hepe t i t i o n

Ther i g ht so ft ho s ec ur r e nt l yi nt hel i s to fno mi ne e st r a ns mi t t e db yt heJudi c i aland BarCo unc i lt ot hePr e s i de ntwi l lbei mpai r e dbyt her e l i e f spr a y e df o rb ype t i t i o ne r i nt hi sc a s e .The ya r ei nd i s p e ns a b l ep ar t i e st ot hi sc a s eb e c a us enoc o mpl e t ea nd finalde t e r mi na t i o no ft hei s s ue sc a nb eha dwi t ho utt he i rp ar t i c i pa t i o n.The yha v e mo r eo fa v e s t e dr i g hti nt hepr e s e r v a t i o no ft hec u r r e ntl i s to fno mi ne e st ha n pe t i t i o ne r .The yc e r t a i nl y wi l lh av e a mo r ea dv e r s a r i a ls t a nc et ha nt ha to ft he Ex e c ut i v eSe c r e t a r y .Pe t i t i o ne rs ho ul d ha v ei mp l e a de dt he ma nd g i v e nt he mt he o ppo r t uni t yal s ot obehe ar db yt hi sc o ur t . The p r o p e rr e me d y wo u l db ef o rt hi sc o u r tt oo r d e rt ha tt he f o u ri nd i v i d ua l s c u r r e nt l yi nt hel i s to fno mi ne e st r ans mi t t e dt ot hePr e s i de ntb ei mpl e a de da ndt he o p po r t uni t yt ob e he a r dg i v e n .The yd e s e r v et ob e he a r db e f o r et hi sc o ur te v e n c o ns i d_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I d. y o t a Mo t o rPhi l i p pi ne sCo r p o r a t i o n Wo r k e r s ’ 94 ,a tp.4 52 ;p .4 4 8,c i t i ng To As s o c i at i o nv .Co ur to fAppe al s,4 5 8Phi l .6 6 1;4 1 2SCRA 6 9( 2 0 03 )[ Pe rJ. Cal l e j o , Se c o n dDi v i s i o n] . 493

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e r sdi l ut i ng t he i rc ha nc e so fbe i ng a ppo i nt e d.Al t e r na t i v e l y ,a ny r e l i e fs ho ul d, t he r e f o r e ,b ep r o s p e c t i v ea nd s h o ul d no taffe c tt he i rv e s t e dr i g ht s .As s umi ng wi t ho utc o nc e d i ngt hatt hema j o r i t ywi l lv o t et onul l i f yRul e1 0,Se c t i o n 2o ft he Rul e so ft heJudi c i a landBa rCo unc i l ,i t se ffe c t ss h o ul db epr o s p e c t i v e .Tho s ewho

we r eno mi na t e dde s e r v et heb e ne fito ft hep r e s ump t i o no fc o ns t i t ut i o na l i t yo ft he r u l e sunde rwhi c ht he ywe r ev e t t e d . Thel ac ko fe ffic a c yo fpe t i t i o ne r ’ sr e l i e f sduet ot hede l i be r at i o nso ft hi sc o ur tc a nbe at t r i but abl eo nl yt ope t i t i o ne r .Hi spe t i t i o nf ai l e dt oi mpl e adal lt hei ndi s pe ns abl e par t i es . We c anno tr ender a dec i s i on t hat wi l l be at odds wi t ht he s ame c o ns t i t ut i o nalpr o v i s i o no fduepr o c e s so fl a w whi c hpe t i t i o ne ri nv o ke s .

I X Pr o po s alt oe x pung eSuppl e me nt al Co mme nt Re p l yoft heJudi c i a la ndBa rCo u nc i l

A me mbe r 95 o ft hi sc o ur ti ss ugg e s t i ng t hatt he nat i o nali nt e r e s tr e qui r e st he s up pr e s s i o no ft he ma t t e r sr a i s e di nt he s up pl e me n t a lc o mme n t r e p l yo ft he Judi c i aland Bar Counc i l .Thi si mpl i es t hat we dec i de on t hi sc as e wi t hout c o ns i de r i ngt heba s i so ft heo bj e c t i o nma debyt heChi e fJ us t i c eandhe a r db yt he o t he rme mb e r so ft heCo unc i l .I ne ffe c t ,wear eas k e dt ode c i dewi t ho utdi s c us s i ng t heme r i t so ft hepo s i t i o no fo neo ft her e s po nde nt s . Idi s a gr e et ha tt hi si st hepr o p erwa yt ode c i det hi sc a s e . I nmyv i e w,i ti st hei ns i s t e nc eo fp e t i t i o ne rno tt or e s po nddi r e c t l yt ot heo bj e c t i o ns d ur i ngt hei nc ame r a andc o nfid e nt i a ldi s c us s i o nso ft heCo unc i lo nJ une30 ,2 01 4 t ha tha sno wc a us e dbo t hs i de st ol a yb ar et he i rf ul la r g ume nt s .Sur e l y ,a smuc ha s pe t i t i o ne rbe l i e v e si nt hei mpo r t anc eo fde f e ndi nghi ms e l fi nt hi sc o ur t ,r e s p o nde nt s ar eal s oent i t l e dt obe l i e v e _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 95 Se eSe p ar a t eOpi ni o no J f. Br i o n,pp.39 94 03. 494

494



t hati ti si ns t i t ut i o nal l yi mpo r t antf o rt he mt ode f e ndt hei nt e gr i t yo ft heJudi c i al a ndBa rCo unc i l .Fo rp e t i t i o ne rt oc l a i m duepr o c e s so fl a wi st hemo r ei mpo r t a nt q ue s t i o n.Fo rr e s po nde nt s ,pe t i t i o ne rwa sa c c o r de dhi so ppo r t uni t yt obehe a r d,a nd t hemo r ei mp o r t a ntq u e s t i o ni st he r ewo u l dha v eb e ena na no ma l yi no u rar b i t r a l c l a i ms . Bo t ht he s evi e wsa r ee nt i t l e dt oo urf ul lc o ns i de r a t i o n. Pa r e nt he t i c a l l y ,t he d o c u me nt st ha t ha v eb e e ns u bmi t t e di nt he i nt e r na t i o na l a r b i t r a t i o nb e t we e nt heRe p ub l i co ft hePhi l i p pi ne sa ndChi naa r eno wt hes ub j e c t o fv i g o r o usac a de mi cd i s c us s i o no nb o t hs i de s . 9 6Di s c us s i o ni no uro p i ni o nso nt he e x i s t e nc eo ft hi sc o nt r o v e r s ywi l lno tb ene w.I tma ye v e npe r ha psc o nt r i b ut et ot h e publ i c ’ sde s i r ef o rt r a ns par e nc y . TheSo l i c i t o rGe ne r ali sapubl i co ffic i alaswe l lasa l a wy e r . Thear b i t r a lc l ai m affe c t sa l lo fus .I tbe ho o ve so urp ubl i ct of ul l yunde r s t and i t sc o nt e nt s .I tb e ho o v e sust ome e ta l lt hear g ume nt so ft hepar t i e sf ul l yi nt he s pi r i to ff ai r ne s sando bj e c t i v i t y . Idono ts har eJus t i c eBr i o n’ sc har a c t e r i z at i o no ft heac t uat i o nso ft heChi e fJus t i c e . Iwo ul dr a t he rb emo r ec i r c ums p e c ta ndg r a ntac o l l e a g uehe rf ul lr i g htt opr o v i d e t hi sc o ur twi t hhe re x pl a na t i o nso ft hemo t i v e sl e v e l e da ga i ns the r .Thepo we ro fo ur publ i s he do pi ni o nsc o mpe l sust ot r e a to urwo r d swi t ht her e s po ns i bi l i t yt ha tt hi s i ns t i t ut i o na ndi t sme mb er sde s e r v e . Thel e t t e rfil e de ar l i e rbyt heSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a ldi dno tc o nt ai napr a y e rf o rs pe c i al r a ffle .Theo pp o r t uni t yt oha v eane a r l yr a ffleo ft hec a s ei skno wnt oal ls e a s o n e d pr a c t i t i o ne r s .Ce r t ai nl y ,pe t i t i o ne rc o mpar e st ono nei nt e r mso fpr e s e nte x pe r i e nc e i nt hi sc o ur t .Bet ha ta si tma y , wedoha v ear a ffle _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

ef o ri ns t anc eS.Tal 96 Se mon and B.Ji a,TheSout h SeaChi na Ar bi t r at i on:A Chi ne s ePe r s p e c t i v e( 2 01 4) . Thema t e r i a l si nt hi sb o o ka r ewi d e l yp e r c e i v e da s Chi na’ si nf o r malr e s po ns et ot hec l ai mo ft heRe publ i co ft hePhi l i ppi ne s . 495

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c o mmi t t e e .Ther a fflec o mmi t t e ed o e sn o ti nc l udet heChi e fJ us t i c e . TheChi e fJ us t i c ei nhi b i t e de a r l y .Thi sme a nst ha ts h e ha d noc o nt r o lo v e rt he p r o mul g a t i o no fo ur r e l e v a nt r e s o l ut i o ns .The Se ni o r As s o c i a t eJ us t i c ea l s o i nhi b i t e db e c a us ehewa sna me di nt hep e t i t i o n.Att her e l e v a ntt i me s ,t het hi r d mo s ts e n i o rme mb e ro ft hi sc o ur twa so nl e a v e .Thi swi l lp r o b ab l ye x pl a i nwh yt he r e wa ss o med e l a yi nt hepr o mul g at i o no fs o meo fo urr e s o l ut i o ns . I ti sno r ma lf o ra de l i b e r a t i v eb o dy t oi ni t i al l y he a rt he t e nt a t i v ev i e wso fi t s me mb e r s .Thus , t hema t t e ro fi nv o ki ngRul e10 ,Se c t i o n2o ft heCo unc i l ’ sr u l e swa s di s c us s e d .Mo s to fusc a ni ma gi neho wt hec o n v e r s a t i o nsma yha v et r a ns p i r e da sa l l o ft ho s ec o n c e r ne dwo ul dha v ewa nt e dt ofinds o l ut i o nst oa v o i dt heunne c e s s a r y t ai nto nt hec har a c t e rofpe t i t i o ne rorde l i be r at e l yai rt hec o nfli c t si nt hel e galt e am i nc h ar g eo fo uri nt e r na t i o nala r b i t r a t i o n.Fa i l i ng i nt he s ee ffo r t s ,t he Co unc i l de c i de dt ogi v epe t i t i o ne ra no ppo r t uni t yt ob ehe ar d .

X Fi nalno t e

Some member s oft hi sc our twi l lhave t hei ro wn per s onale val uat i on oft he q ua l i fic a t i o na ndfit ne s so fp e t i t i o ne rt ob eno mi na t e df o rt hepo s i t i o no fAs s o c i a t e J us t i c eo ft heSupr e meCo ur t .Ia m noe x c e p t i o n.

Iha v eb e ne fit e df r o mt hewi s d o mo fpe t i t i o ne ra sac o l l e a g uei nt hef a c ul t yo ft he UPCo l l e g eo fLa w.Ih a v ewi t ne s s e dhi sa pp e ar a nc e sb o t ho r a l l ya ndi nwr i t i nga s t heSo l i c i t o rGe ne r a li nt heman yc a s e st ha tp as s e dt hr o ug ht hi sc o ur t .Ikno wo fhi s f a mi l yaswe l la shi sr e p ut a t i o nhe l db yma nyo fo urc o mmo nf r i e nds . Li k ei n ma ny c a s e s ,o urde c i s i o nsasJus t i c e so ft hi sc o ur tc a r r yt hep ai nsand bur dens whi c h we hav es wor nt o uphol d.We havet of ol l o wt he r es ul t sofour de c i s i o nso nt hei s s ue spo s e dbe f o r eus . 496

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I ti snotupt oust omakej udgme nt soft heSol i c i t orGe ne r al ’ scompe t e nc e , i nt e gr i t y ,pr o bi t y ,andi nde pe nde nc e. A be c o mi ng mo de s t yo ft hi sc o ur t and i t so wn r e s pe c tf o rt he c o ns t i t ut i o nal l e g i t i mac yo fi t se x i s t e nc er e qui r e st hati tr e s p e c t sa ndpr e s ume sc o mpe t e nc ei nt he c o ns t i t ut i o na lo r g ansi nc l ud i ngt heJud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i l .Wes ho ul dpr e s ume t ha ti tha sd i s c ha r g e di t sf unc t i o nswi t ht hes a mec o mp e t e nc ea nd z e a lf o rt he na t i o n ali nt e r e s tt ha tweha v e .Wes h oul dno tp r e s u met ha tweha v eamo n o p o l yo f a n unde r s t a ndi ngo ft hec o mmo nwe a l ,l e ta l o neo ft hec ha r a c t e ro fpe t i t i o ne ra nd hi sq ua l i fic a t i o nsa ndfit ne s st ob e c o meame mb e ro ft hi sc o ur t . Pe t i t i o ne rh asno ts h o wnt ha th eha sv e s t e dr i g ht st ot heno mi na t i o n.Heha sno t s ho wnt ha tt heac t i o nso ft heJudi c i a la ndBarCo unc i lwe r ea r b i t r a r y ,c a pr i c i o us , a ndwhi ms i c a l .Heha sno td e mo ns t r a t e dt ha tt hei nt e r p r e t a t i o na nda ppl i c a t i o nb y t hewho l eJud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i lo fRul e10 ,Se c t i o n2we r ebe r e f to fr e a s o na nd s oi mpl a us i b l ea st oi mpa i rhi sal l e g e dr i g ht s .Hewa sg i v e nt heo p po r t uni t yt ob e he a r d .Hec ho s en o tt ous et hef o r u msh ewa spr o v i d e dwi t ht or e b utt hes u bs t a nt i a l bas i sf o rt hei nv oc a t i o no ft her ul eoni nt e gr i t y . TheJudi c i a landBa rCo unc i l ,b yt r a ns mi t t i ngal i s twi t ho utpe t i t i o ne r ’ sname ,ha s a c c e d e dt ot h ei nv o c a t i o no fl a c ko fi nt e gr i t yb yo neo fi t sme mb e r s .Ex c l udi ngt he

v o t eo ft heChi e fJ us t i c e ,hewa sno ta bl et og a r ne runa ni mi t yamo ngt her e ma i ni ng me mb e r so ft heCo unc i la sr e q ui r e dbyt her u l e s . Thei mpo r t a nc eo ff ul l ya s s e r t i ng t hee x t e nto fo urc l a i mst ona t ur a lr e s o ur c e s l o c a t e dwi t hi no urc o n t i ne nt a ls h e l v e sando ure x c l us i v ee c o no mi cz o nec a nno tb e unde r s t at e d.Pr e s e ntandf ut ur eg e ne r a t i o nso fFi l i pi no swi l lr e l yo nt he s ev al i dand l e galc l ai ms . I ti swi t ht hi si nmi ndt ha twema r kt hehe r o i s mo fo u rme na ndwo me ni nuni f o r m e s p e c i a l l yi no urNa v ya ndi nt heMa r i ne s .Wi t ht hel e a s to fe q ui p me nt ,t he ys t a nd r e a dyt o 497

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de f e ndt hei nt e gr i t yo fo urc l a i msi ns o me t i me sde s o l a t ea ndf a r flungpo s t spi t t i ng p o s t wa rmi l i t a r ye q ui p me nta g ai ns tt hemo d e r nmi l i t a r ymi g hto fas u pe r p o we r . The ys t a yi nha r m’ swa ykno wi ngt ha tt he i ri mp e nd i nghe r o i s mi swha to u rp eo p l e de s e r v e .The r ei snobe t t e rwa yt oc har ac t e r i z et he m andt he i rc o ur a g ee x c e p tt oc a l l t hem her oe s . Thankf ul l y ,l e g alar g ume nti nt hec o nt e x to fpe ac e f uli nt e r nat i o nalar b i t r a t i o nand d i p l o ma c yha sbe e nd e p l o y e db yt hec u r r e n ta d mi ni s t r a t i o n .Wha twema yl a c ki n mo de r n nav al war f ar e , we make up wi t hc o ge nt and vi abl el e ga l ac ume n. Co ns i de r i ngwha ti sa ts t a ke ,t hemar g i nsf o rl e g ale r r o ra r eunde r s t a nda bl yt h i n. Weha v es pa r e dl i t t l et og e tt hebe s tl e g ale x pe r t so nt heUni t e dNa t i o nsCo nv e nt i o n o nt heLa wo ft heSe a .Wee x p e c tnol e s st ha nv i g o r o u s ,a g g r e s s i v e ,c o mp e t e n t r e p r e s e nt a t i o nf r o m t he l a wy e r so ft he Re p ub l i cl e db y pe t i t i o ne ra s So l i c i t o r Ge n e r a l . Theque s t i o nspo s e dt ope t i t i o ne rb yt heJud i c i a la ndBa rCo unc i la r ema t t e r st ha t a r es e ns i t i v eb e c a us et he s ep e r t a i nt oa p e nd i ng c a s eund e r g o i ng i nt e r na t i o na l a r b i t r a t i o n.Ho we v e r ,t he yar ea l s opubl i cmat t e r st hatne e de dar e s po ns e .

Jardeleza vs. Sereno

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