Villaruz: 'Charter change should be adopted now'
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 12/23/2008 10:04 AM
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These are excerpts from the 2007 and 2008 Judicial and Bar Council public interviews with Sandiganbayan Justice Francisco Villaruz who is shortlisted for the Supreme Court. We relied on the notes of the Supreme Court Appointments Watch for the 2007 interview and on the notes of our researcher, Purple Romero, for the 2008 interview.
2007 Interview
JBC: [What are your] views on criticisms that the JBC lacks independence?
Villaruz: The JBC is independent.
What are needed improvements in the judiciary?
Villaruz: Improvement of the judge is the first or primordial concern that needs to be addressed. The temptation for graft and corruption is still high because of low income. The Action Program for Judicial Reform has partially addressed it but it's not enough. Financial security of judges is important
Assuming you become associate justice of the Supreme Court then you are nominated for the chief justice position, will you subject yourself to public interviews?
Villaruz: I do not claim to be an exception. Public office is a public trust. The public is entitled to access to information.
Are you in favor of lifestyle check of judges/ justices?
Villaruz: Yes. In light of the fact that the Constitution provides that public office is a public trust and that as public officials, we should lead modest lives.
What are your comments on the fact that you’re not yet a chair of a division and are already aspiring for the Supreme Court?
Villaruz: I do not see that being a chair should be a qualification to be a member of the SC. I believe that I possess the qualifications. I am familiar with general laws and special laws.
How do we improve the process of bar examinations?
Villaruz: There should be a permanent committee of bar examiners so that corrections would be more or less uniform
Tell us about your judicial record.
Villaruz: I have penned approximately 30 decisions in 4 1/2 years.
2008 Interview
JBC: What should be the manner of amending the Constitution?
Villaruz: I believe that Charter change should now be adopted. There are a number of provisions that should be reviewed. The matter of the power of the Congress to conduct investigation should be circumscribed. If we interpret the Constitution on its face, Congress should vote as one. But if we base it on the intent, voting of Congress is required separately.
Which form of government best suits the country?
Villaruz: A unitary form of government. It would be cheaper, there would be less harassment, more efficiency. There would be no need for the concurrence of the Senate.
