Corona’s successor should be ‘beyond moral reproach’

A RETIRED top official of the Supreme Court said the next Chief Justice should be beyond moral reproach to be able to heal the judiciary, which is bruised by the impeachment of ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.
Corona was convicted by the Senate impeachment court last May 29 after 44 days of trial for failing to declare his peso and dollar deposits in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.
In an interview on ANC’s Headstart, retired Chief Justice Reynato Puno said Corona’s successor should have moral ascendancy to be able to harmonize the contrasting interests of two other branches of government: the executive and the legislative.
“We need a Chief Justice who would not only be towering in terms of intellect capacity, but would also have moral domination over justices and lower court judges and someone who will restore the relationship between the judiciary and the two other branches of government,” said Puno, the predecessor of Corona to the Supreme Court.
As a former head of the Supreme Court, Puno sat as ex-officio chairman of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), a constitutional body tasked to screen and submit a list of nominees to vacant judicial posts for the President’s consideration.
Puno said that in his experience, sitting justices of the Supreme Court have an edge over “outsiders” seeking to be considered for the top judicial post because they are already familiar with the High Court and its processes.
“An insider would always have the advantage of looking into the existing problems of the judiciary, and in continuing the solutions that are found to be good. There have been instances in the past when that factor was not considered as a decisive factor. The judiciary is a world of its own, it is some sort of a mini-government,” he said.
He also said that more than being a lawyer, it is important for the next Chief Justice to have experience as a judge, which would have trained him on court matters, particularly in separating relevant facts from the irrelevant.
But while some of the nominees for Chief Justice submitted to the JBC have no prior experience as a judge, he said that should not be a hindrance for them to perform well, once appointed.
“(Being a judge) trains you to make a judgment on the credibility of the witnesses and of course, trains you to apply the law appropriately on the facts of the case. So it’s good to have court experience as a judge,” said Puno.
“We’ve had cases here and abroad where justices were taken from the ranks of the academe and from Congress, and a lot of these people did well in the SC. There’s a wide range of choices from among the current list of CJ nominees. Obviously you see some lightweights, but if you give it a long, hard look, you also see heavyweights, bar topnotchers, professors, outstanding graduates of world-class universities. You have a smorgasbord of choice,” he added.
Vincent Lazatin, executive director of the group Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN), supported calls for sitting SC justices to undergo JBC interview, saying the last search for Chief Justice at the retirement of Puno had set the precedent for them to be scrutinized by the screening council.
Lazatin said that in allowing the interviews to be covered by the media live would put additional pressure on JBC members to justify who they would be putting in their shortlist, from which the President will choose the head of the high court.
Lazatin said that during the 2010 JBC interview of nominees for Chief Justice, sitting SC justices such as then Associate Justices Corona, Arturo Brion and Teresita Leonardo-de Castro had allowed the JBC to interview them.
All magistrates of the SC have already been nominated for the Chief Justice post, including the five most senior – Antonio Carpio, Presbitero Velasco Jr., de Castro, Brion and Diosdado Peralta.
Of the 14 sitting justices, Justices Mariano del Castillo, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Bienvenido Reyes have declined their nomination.
Meanwhile, the JBC has released its draft guidelines for the live media coverage of the JBC public interviews to promote transparency and accountability in its processes.
Under the proposed guidelines, it will be the SC’s Public Information Office that shall govern the accreditation of media personnel who will be covering the public interviews.
JBC member Senator Chiz Escudero said there will be no limitations on the number of media representatives who will be covering the public interviews, which may start on the third week of July.
As of last count, there are already 65 nominees, 13 have accepted their nominations, 11 declined, while two applied for the post.
On the letter of former Solicitor General Francisco Chavez questioning the present composition of JBC, particularly the two representations from the legislative branch, Escudero said any legal issues should be brought before the SC for resolution.
In his letter, Chavez claimed that Congress should only have one ex-officio member to the panel, instead of two — Escudero and Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas, who are both ex-officio members of the JBC, representing the Senate and House committee on justice, respectively.
Chavez asked for clarification as to why the Senate and Congress have separate representatives in the council despite that Section 8, Article VIII of the Constitution allows only “a representative of the Congress” to be part of the panel tasked to screen candidates for a judicial post and come up with a shortlist for consideration by the President.
Chavez also questioned JBC’s practice where one vote is given to each of the ex-officio members from the two chambers of Congress. He said this practice may create an impasse during the eight-member council’s voting in case of a tie.
Escudero maintained the validity of the current composition of the JBC, saying under the Senate and House Rules, being an ex-officio member of the JBC is part of the job of the chairs of the Senate and House committee on justice.
“The JBC has been doing this even before I became a member of the JBC way back in 2001-2002. The JBC’s position on that is that, unless enjoined by the Court, it will not stop such practice,” he said.
He said it would be better if Chavez would bring the case before the Court, which has the jurisdiction on issues pertaining to the interpretation of the Constitution.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/06/25/coronas-successor-should-be-beyond-moral-reproach-228663

Each year in February the Philippines hot air balloon festival returns to Clark Pampanga. Visitors planning to attend this popular event in Clark opt to stay in Clearwater Resort which is considered to be the best hotel in Clark Philippines. This hotel in Clark is also a favorite holiday destination near Manila during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and New Year holidays also. This hotel in Clark is also one of the best resorts near Manila for families to relax, unwind and enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Clark Philippines. Even during school breaks, families would take their children to enjoy the outdoor facilities of this popular resort in Pampanga which is located quite near to Manila.

Frequently visited resort hotel in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone shares news, articles, suggestions and ideas on matters that might enhance your visit to Subic and Clark Pampanga for vacation and travel, as well as to organize, plan or attend a corporate or social event near Manila.

Where to stay in Clark, Philippines?

Voted Best Hotel in Clark Pampanga, this beach resort is a semi-private establishment located in the central business district near shopping, business, entertainment, airport and other conveniences of Philippines Clark Freeport Zone. This 13 hectare lake beach resort near Manila Philippines is a place of leisure that is highly recommended for family tourists with children or couples and individuals hoping to relax and enjoy peace and quiet in a laidback American suburban lifestyle.

Adding to the charm and attractiveness of this resort hotel in Clark Philippines are certain unique factors including safety, a keen sense of security and privacy that the main zone of Clark Freeport Zone offers. Angeles Philippines, Subic or Manila cannot offer the same sense of security like Clark Philippines. Clearwater is one of the best hotel in Clark and the resort is a very popular venue for rest and relaxation especially for golfers after a round of golf at one of the best golf courses near Manila. Clark is home to some of the best golf courses in Pampanga.

Philippines Travel Guide just unveiled recommendations and tips for safe and secured destinations during Holy Week and Easter Holidays in Philippines, Pampanga, Angeles City, Subic and Clark. The report covers highly recommended resorts and hotels in North Luzon, nice getaway destinations for families with children to enjoy activities in the outdoor, secured, safe and convenient place for tourists to relax and unwind, luxurious restaurants offering privacy and good ambience, best clubs in Pampanga and resto bars in Angeles City, pubs in Clark and fine dining restaurants in Pampanga, frequently visited places as well as historical sites in Angeles City, Pampanga, Clark Philippines.

Clearwater is generally regarded as is a place of leisure and the best private resort in Pampanga. This Clark hotel is the most frequently visited private resort outside Manila for corporate planning and team building because of its exclusivity. Clearwater is well regarded among frequent visitors to Clark as one of the best resorts in Pampanga.

Pampanga is an important province of the Philippines slated to be the next business and tourism center of the country. Already international traffic prefers the Clark International Airport and tourists find Clark Freeport Zone easier to get around than Manila. Safety, low crime rate, no traffic and low pollution levels all contribute to making Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone a preferred destination for local and international tourists.

For inquiries and bookings, Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort for inquiries and reservations now

Clearwater Resort and Country Club, Clark Pampanga
Creekside Road near Centennial Expo,
Clark Freeport, Pampanga Philippines 2023
(045) 889-5151 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177
Joanne or Jeremy or Loydha

Getting to this lake and beach resort in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Philippines

After entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway MA Roxas, passing the stand-along wine shop called Clark Wine Center on the right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, one will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on the right just 200m down.

Family Bonding by the famous lake of Clark Pampanga

http://www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

Email: Inquiry@ClearwaterPhilippines.com

Please click here to contact Clearwater Resort to reserve a venue for your upcoming event now

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

While in Clark, one might as well add to the itinerary a visit to the famous Clark Wine Center, the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.
http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

For jobs and business investment opportunities in the Philippines please visit http://www.yilp.com

Hot Line for what’s happening in Clark: 045 889-5151 or 0927-940-2669 ask for Loydha

0915-542-6250 (Jeramie)