The leak in the JBC
The Judicial and Bar Council is alarmed that the result of the psychological test administered to now Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno had been leaked to the public. That was supposed to be a highly confidential document that should never have been disclosed. Now the JBC is about to start an investigation to find out who was responsible for leaking that report.
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According to the rumors going around – since we have not seen the exact copy, or yes, the certified copy – the psycho test results showed that the new Chief Justice rated only “Four”, which is supposed to be a very low, considering that the lowest is Five. The score supposedly means that the person rated is “dramatic and emotional”, among others. If that is so, then why did the JBC include her in the short list of only eight that they recommended for appointment by the president? Did the others have similar scores, or worse? For me, I think what is important is for the JBC to tell us: Is the rumor false, or true?
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Maybe most of the sitting justices of the Supreme believe that the report is true, because, until now, they seem to be giving their new head the cold shoulder. In her first appearance at their weekly flag rites at the SC, seven justices were noted absent. The five who were present, did not look happy, either, even when the new Chief Justice was appealing for their cooperation, calling herself their “servant leader”, but also stressing that it was God's will that she be made Chief Justice of the country. At least she did not say it was God, speaking through President Noynoy Aquino.
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Meanwhile, it has been disclosed that Mrs. Leni Robredo, the widow of the late, much lamented Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, is more interested in working for the judiciary, instead of being in politics. Indeed, that is an office better suited for her training and character. No wonder, her children have stressed that going into politics, where she is being woed by some of its old guard, is not for her.
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It has been revealed that she already has a pending application for the position of Regional Trial Court judge that has been taken up by the Judicial and Bar Council, before her husband's death, as early as February this year. Let us hope she gets appointed. Who knows, she may end up as the next chief justice, when the new one, Ma. Lourdes Sereno retires after 18 years. Meanwhile, Sereno will have the biggest opportunity to effect reforms in the high court if she set her mind on it, and has the capability for it. Imagine 18 years to do a job. The late Secretary Robredo was reportedly mayor of Naga for 18 years, and see what he did to transform his home city.
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A huge Philippine Airlines jet was “emasculated” by wild ducks that were sucked into its engine. Just imagine how those tiny flying creatures could incapacitate a gigantic creation of man from iron and steel. The plane was stranded at the Tacloban airport because of the trouble caused by the ducks to its engine. Reports said this was not the first time this happened in that airport. What should be done to divert the ducks away from the area? Perhaps people there should try eating more duck meat, cooked Peking style.
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Congratulations to the four lawyers who were awarded the prestigious St. Thomas More honors by the Bacolod Diocese. It was an admirable move of Bishop Vicente Navarra to recognize the work of some lawyers. The awards belied the general belief that lawyers are cunning and tricky people who can twist the truth around to earn a fee from their client. There are still many of them who are honest, honorable, and caring for the disadvantaged.
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Despite that, I cannot resist recalling an anecdote I once read about a lawyer whose family name was “Strange”. When he was dying, he gave instructions that his epitaph should read: “Here lies an honest lawyer”, and that there is no need to place his name on it. “Why” Asked his relative. “Because”, he said, “When people read that, they will surely say, That's Strange!”*
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