A good JBC shortlist—without CA Justice Carandang

THE Judicial and Bar Council is the body assigned by our Constitution to screen applicants for seats as justices of the Supreme Court whenever there is a vacancy and then to present the names to the President of the Philippines. The President then picks the name he chooses to appoint.

It has eight members. The body also screens applicants nominated for vacant positions in the judiciary as well as the Offices of the Ombudsman and the Deputy Ombudsman. The JBC is always headed by the Chief Justice and includes, also as ex-officio members, the Secretary of Justice and the heads of the justice committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate.