De Lima won’t back out of race for Chief Justice

Tuesday, July 3, 2012
MANILA – Despite the doubts on her independence and integrity, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday she will not withdraw her bid for the Chief Justice position.
In an interview, de Lima brushed aside questions on her character made by Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II, saying she has already proven her mettle while she was still the head of the Commission on Human Rights, an independent constitutional body.
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She said she was merely offering herself as an alternative to the so-called “insiders” in the Supreme Court (SC). If given a chance, she said she is ready to prove once again her independence as justice.
“I was able to prove independence when I was in the independent constitutional and I can do that again. I can prove again my sense of independence and my capacity for independence if I join against another independent body,” she said.
De Lima was among the 24 nominees who have accepted their nominations at the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), a body that screens and submits a shortlist for the President’s consideration to vacant judicial posts. She earlier inhibited as member of the JBC in anticipation of her nomination for the Chief justice post.
She also claimed that she could serve as the “unifying force” in the judiciary in case she is appointed as the country’s first female Chief Justice. Her acceptance of her nomination, however, was met with criticisms.
Arguelles said de Lima’s acceptance of her nomination reeks of bad taste, being an alter-ego of the President, thus, she is inclined to toe the administration line and do the bidding of her appointing power.
On the other hand, Gonzales said that her acceptance of her nomination gave rise to the allegations of ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona that he was removed from office to pave the way for the appointment of an Aquino ally.
JBC member lawyer Jose Mejia, who represents the academe, said the eight-member council will start publishing the list of nominees on July 9, after which, the eight-man panel will schedule a public interview of the aspirants where they will be asked about the opposition on their nominations.
The JBC then will deliberate and come up with a shortlist of nominees for consideration of the President, who has 90 days, or until August 29 to fill up the vacancy in the SC.
Mejia also said the number of qualified nominees who have accepted their nominations went down to 24 from 25 after Court of Appeals justice Vicente Veloso withdrew his conforme. Veloso earlier signified his acceptance of his nomination. No reason was given for his withdrawal.
He also said the two applicants for the Chief Justice post — Jocelyn Esquivel, a nurse, and former Malabon regional trial court judge Florentino Floro — will be excluded from the list to be published by the JBC for failure to meet the minimum requirements for the position.
Under the Constitution, a member of the Court must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines; at least 40 years of age but not 70 years old or more; must have been a lower court judge — or been practicing law in the country — for 15 years or more; and be of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.
In 2007, the SC ordered Floro to be separated from the service after medical findings showed that he was suffering from psychosis, a condition that made him unfit to perform his judicial functions.
Meanwhile, the SC did not grant the prayer of former Solicitor General Frank Chavez for the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the proceedings being conducted by the JBC in the search for the next chief justice.
Instead, the High Court ordered the JBC to comment within the non-extendible period of five days on the issues raised in the suit, particularly on the present composition of the panel, which gives two representations to Congress.
During its regular en banc session, the High Court, likewise directed Senator Francis Escudero and Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas, the chair of the committee on justice in the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, to file their separate comments on the petition.
All justices who have accepted their nominations inhibited from acting on Chavez’s petition, except for Associate Justice Roberto Abad, who was on official leave.
Aside from Abad, five other magistrates accepted their nominations for the top judicial posts, namely, Justices Antonio Carpio, Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion and Maria Lourdes Sereno, who is Aquino’s first appointee to the SC.
In his petition, Chavez questioned why the JBC gave two representations to Congress and gave both of them voting powers. He also questioned the argument of the panel that giving separate representations to Escudero and Tupas was based on its tradition. (JCV/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/07/03/de-lima-wont-back-out-race-chief-justice-230047

Good picnic spots can be found in some of the best resorts in Pampanga. The good resorts and hotels in Clark Philippines offer safe and clean outdoor facilities for family bonding and picnics. For many reasons Manila families and residents of Angeles City Pampanga as well as Subic and Baguio consider Clearwater as one of the best resorts in Pampanga and certainly the best hotel in Clark Philippines. Guests of this child friendly resort in Clark Pampanga often relax and unwind by the beautiful lake and beach. Hotel accommodation is also available here in this resort in Clark. Function room for meetings and seminars is also available in this popular resort in Clark Philippines. This hotel in Clark is also a favorite holiday destination near Manila during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and New Year holidays.

Families with small children prefer outdoor resort in Manila clean and safe place in Pampanga Clark to bring kids to relax and unwind. Highly recommended resort for family reunion near Manila is Clearwater Lake Hotel Clark Pampanga.

Philippines Travel Guide just unveiled recommendations and tips for Holy Week and Easter Holidays in Philippines. The report covers highly recommended resorts and hotels in North Luzon, nice getaway destinations for families with children, safe and convenient place for tourists to relax and unwind, good restaurants, resto bars, pubs and fine dining establishments in Pampanga, frequently visited places as well as historical sites in Angeles City, Pampanga, Clark Philippines. Clearwater is one of the best hotels in Clark. This resort in Pampanga 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.

Highly recommended summer vacation destination outside Manila is Clearwater Beach Resort in Clark, a safe and convenient tourist spot that offers natural ambience for visitors to enjoy the outdoors with no stress. Generally regarded as the best hotel in Clark Philippines, Clearwater Resort gives its guests a sense of safety, peacefulness and security, things that families and tourists look for when they plan a trip to Pampanga. These are some of the virtues that tourists coming to the Philippines and visitors of Pampanga Clark Philippines look for. That’s why most visitors prefer to stay at this top rated hotel in Clark whenever they make a trip out of town from Manila towards the north, Pampanga, Subic or Angeles city.

Residents or Manila travel out of town to head north to Pampanga to relax, unwind and spend a few nights in the new hotel rooms situated right on the lake of Clearwater Resort in Clark Airbase. Many visitors and tourists enjoy the feeling of waking up by the lake. The sunrise produces a spectacular sight with the sunlight reflection on the calm surface of the three-hectare fresh water lake of this famous resort in Clark. This hotel in Clark Philippines is generally considered by Manila residents to be a good and safe destination and vacation spot for family trips in Pampanga. This is also one of the best resorts in Pampanga that offers good picnic spots near Manila.

Where to go during Holy Week and other holidays in Philippines? Highly recommended private resort in Pampanga is popular destination for Easter Holidays and other celebrative occasions. Manila residents travel out of town on holidays to relax and unwind with families, children and friends in private resorts in Pampanga. These exclusive hotel resorts are frequently visited by tourists and residents of Manila for vacation or even a day trip out of town to the north in Subic, Pampanga Angeles City and Clark Philippines. Clark Pampanga is where tourists and families can enjoy the laidback leisure lifestyle that is so relaxing for people who feel the stress from city living. Event organizers laud this resort in Pampanga for its great outdoor venues ideal for team building and company outings near Manila.

Top rated destination for family reunion, bonding, retreat, picnic and getaway out of town from Manila is Clearwater Beach Resort; frequently visited spots are lake, picnic grounds; water sports, boating, swimming, kayak, camping. The private resort’s child friendly facilities are attractive to Manila residents and family tourists also.

Located inside the ring of the lazy river is one of the largest herb gardens in North Luzon. The Herb Garden of this private resort in Pampanga also serves as an event venue for company outings, family picnics, team building and other outdoor corporate and social functions. The river provides a high degree of privacy for this venue making it an attractive option for wedding planners to consider the Herb Garden Picnic Grounds as a possible choice for garden style wedding receptions also. Clearwater Resort is generally regarded as one of the best holiday spots near Manila.

What really defines the ambience and lifestyle of this private outdoor resort in Clark is its spacious picnic grounds. The largest one is called the Brunello Garden which can easily accommodate functions and events for 3000 or more. Being several hectares in area, this amenity of Clearwater Resort is frequently visited for family picnics. Visitors from Manila travel to Clark to unwind and relax underneath old Acacia trees in the Brunello Gardens. This is one way for stressed out city residents to spend quality time in a leisure laidback pace.

Quiet place for rest and relaxation near Manila, in Subic, Angeles City Pampanga and Clark Philippines is something that residents of Manila travelling to the north for a short getaway are looking for.

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)