JBC voting on Sandigan vacancy set today

MANILA, Philippines - The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will vote today on the lone vacancy in the Sandiganbayan left by the dismissal of Senior Justice Gregory Ong in September last year, as well as the lone vacancy in the Court of Appeals due to the retirement last Jan. 7 of Justice Vicente Veloso.

The constitutional body tasked to vet nominees for judicial posts is expected to deliberate on 38 Sandiganbayan aspirants and come up with a shortlist of at least three nominees to be submitted to President Aquino.

The voting was set after the nominees and applicants were interviewed by the seven-member council on Jan. 27, 28 and 29.

Among the aspirants for the post is Justice Undersecretary Jose Justiniano, who is part of the prosecution team handling the plunder cases against three senators implicated in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam in the anti-graft court.

Justiniano became prominent when he represented US Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Smith in the 2005 Subic rape case.

Insiders said he is being considered by the Palace for the post but pointed out that he would have to inhibit from the pork barrel cases being heard by the anti-graft court due to his current role.

Also nominated for the post is Judge Benjamin Pozon of the Makati regional trial court (RTC), who convicted Smith for the rape of “Nicole” in 2006.

The other nominees who faced the JBC during the interview were Zamboanga City Branch 12 Judge Gregorio Valencia dela Peña III, Assistant Solicitor General Sarah Jane Fernandez, Caloocan RTC Judge Aurelio Rambayon Ralar Jr., Makati RTC Judge Andres Soriano, Mandaluyong RTC Judge Esteban Tacla Jr., Tarlac City RTC Judge Cesar Limbo Aganon, Mandaluyong RTC Judge Ofelia Lineses Calo, Antipolo RTC Judge Kevin Narce Batan Vivero and Manila RTC Judge Armando Alvarez Yanga.