|
By Jomar Canlas, Reporter
THE judiciary has already agreed to be included
in the meetings between the major branches of government, thereby
activating the Judiciary, Executive and Legislative Advisory and
Consultative Council (Jelac) that would address the issue of
conflicting positions between the three departments of government,
of which the most recent one is towards Executive Order No. 464.
According to House Speaker Prospero Nograles,
the nod of the Supreme Court to join the Jelac would help a lot in
improving the relationship between the three branches of government.
“[It is a] very good move. I welcome it as one
that will help [the] country [to] move forward,” Nograles said in
a text message.
The Manila Times learned that Nograles and
Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno recently had a breakfast
meeting at the Diamond Hotel wherein the needs of the judiciary were
discussed, among others.
This included additional fund for the judiciary
and the creation of new courts.
“With the Jelac creation, the tug of war
between Congress and Malacañang with the Supreme Court acting as a
referee will be addressed earlier before having a court fight,” a
reliable source of The Manila Times said.
Recently, the Senate and Malacañang had a
tug-of-war over EO 464, which Commission on Higher Education
Chairman Romulo Neri invoked to avoid being further questioned by
the Senate on the controversial national broadband project.
Judiciary originally refused to join
Puno earlier told The Manila Times that he will
not allow the judiciary to join the tripartite council if it will
mean the loss of their (judiciary) independence, or the interference
of the legislative or executive branches in the affairs of the
courts.
But Puno sees some importance in the Jelac’s
creation in matters like increasing the budget of the judiciary,
which is handled by Congress. Furthermore, Malacañang handles the
appointment of judges and justices upon submission of the shortlist
made by the Judicial and Bar Council.
A draft memorandum earlier obtained by The Times
from the Department of Justice showed that the top officials of the
four branches of government will head the council: President Gloria
Arroyo as chairman; Senate President Manuel Villar; House Speaker
Jose de Venecia (now replaced by Nograles); and Puno.
The draft memo also showed that the other
members of Jelac includes Vice-President Noli de Castro; a Cabinet
member to be designated by the President; one member from the Senate
to be designated by the Senate President of the Senate; one member
from the House of Representatives to be designated by the Speaker;
and one member from the Supreme Court to be designated by the Chief
Justice.
The President may likewise call on any other
member of the Cabinet or any other official to join the council
“as may be necessary from time to time.”
Before the Jelac’s formation, the judiciary
was perceived to be the most “passive” branch of government.
|
