Transparency and Accountability Network

 

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has recently responded to TAN's letters dated 21 June 2011 and 01 July 2011, with a letter of regret on swiftly providing the requested information on the copies of the tally sheets containing the individual votes of the JBC Members for the positions of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon and the Ombusdman.

Their response have reiterated the policy of the Council that information related to the meetings of the JBC including the minutes and its excerpts containing summary votes shall only be released to requesting parties ONLY after the approval of the said minutes. It also applies on the posting of these results on their official website

However, the JBC Executive Office assured TAN that they will do provide the information that is needed right AFTER the approval of the minutes, since it has not yet been approved by the Council.

With this, TAN looks forward to the approval and the posting of these important information in line with its hope for a credible, transparent and accountable appointments to the aforementioned posts.

For a copy of the letter, kindly click the download link below.

_Letter_from_JBC_re_open_voting_policy.pdf

For everybody's reference. You may review our notes to have a better idea about Judicial and Bar Council's shortlist for Ombudsman

 

(1) LEAH ARMAMENTO (Justice Undersecretary)

Exchanges with Cayosa 

-       Undersecretary, Department of Justice; appointed April 2011
-       Handles cases at the South of Metro Manila
-       Nominated as Associate for Sandiganbayan in xxx
-       Prefers to be in the Ombudsman because of her 19 years of experience as a prosecutor
-       On problem areas at the OMB

1. number of pending cases at the OMB
2. Believes that OMB’s conduct of fact finding is a flaw in the process which results in the backlog of cases

-       Changes she will institute if appointed:

1. inventory of cases, age and resolve them
2. put up a system and computerize so the OMB can assess them;
3. decentralize the powers of the OMB; distribute powers and authorities
4. Improve the advocacy function of the OMB
5. Strengthen linkages with other offices and revitalize ties with the Resident Ombudsman
6. Deputy Ombudsman can be special prosecutors
7. Conduct lectures with different offices; moral recovery in different government agencies