Reyes, Tejano-Ang wrap up JBC interview for CJ post

Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr., and Judge Virginia Tejano-Ang of the Regional Trial Court Branch 1 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte (PNA photo)

MANILA — Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr., and Judge Virginia Tejano-Ang of the Regional Trial Court Branch 1 in Tagum City, Davao del Norte were the last two aspirants for Chief Justice who went under questioning by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Thursday.

Reyes, one of the youngest members of the High Court, was asked how he would work with the other members of the SC who are more senior than him.

He said that he worked with some of the SC justices when he was the presiding justice of the Court of Appeals (CA).

He also assured that if he becomes the Chief Justice, he would have to consult with them as a collegial body, just like what they do in an en banc session.

“The Supreme Court is the bastion of democracy and the Supreme Court will follow what is dictated in the Constitution,” he said.

Asked on the ouster of former Chief Justices Renato Corona and Maria Lourdes Sereno, Reyes said “it’s a wake-up call for us to be always on our toes, and to always be adherent to our Constitution”.

Reyes was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to the SC in July 2017.

He penned a ruling declaring as unconstitutional then justice secretary Leila de Lima’s Department Order No. 41, which authorizes the Secretary of Justice to issue Hold Departure Orders, Watch List Orders, or Allow Departure Orders.

Meanwhile, Judge Tejano-Ang, is the only applicant outside the SC, and would serve longest if appointed Chief Justice.

The 65-year-old judge will retire in 2023.

The lady judge said she did not intend to apply for the CJ post but was eyeing the position of associate justice.

“Pinaghirapan ko na ito, nagpa-interview na ako sa inyo, pwede na po. Sayang naman po. Kung ayoko na (tumuloy), gumawa na (sana) ako ng (I have worked hard for this. I already undergone the interview. It would be a waste if I back out. If that was the case, I would have executed a) waiver,” she said.

Tejano-Ang, meanwhile, stressed that she won’t be automatically picked as Chief Justice just because President Rodrigo Duterte knows that she is from Davao.

The JBC ends public interview of applicants for Chief Justice on Thursday afternoon.

Three of the applicants — Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin- — were automatic candidates for the post, being among the five most senior magistrates of the High Court.

The three senior magistrates accepted their automatic nomination, making them official candidates for the post while acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, who did not apply for the post, will be acting chairman of the JBC.

Then Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., who declined the nomination, already retired last August 8.

The JBC will hold its final deliberation and selection for the shortlist of its candidates on August 31.

The shortlist will be endorsed to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees to the President for vacant posts in the judiciary and the offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman.