Search for new PH CJ attracts cronies and looneys

In a not-so-unexpected turn of events, the vacancy left by former Chief Justice Renato Corona has been making news not just on account of its significance in Philippine government operation. The names nominated to succeed the impeached Chief Justice are also by themselves deemed newsworthy.

Many of the personalities floated to take the place of Corona are being associated with President BS Aquino.

One of them is UE College of Law Dean Amado Valdez who has been very obviously partial with his comments against the impeached SC chief. Amado Valdez had been on several TV and radio interviews to criticize Corona though he himself is also being the subject of unfavorable insinuations owing to an unflattering stint at one GOCC. He is a known sycophant of President BS Aquino.

Two other notable nominees for the CJ post are Justices Antonio Carpio and Lourdes Sereno. Both SC justices are considered to be shoo-ins for the position as they are perceived to "cooperative" with the BS Aquino administration. Sereno is an Aquino appointee while Carpio is a known GMA and Corona antagonist.

BS Aquino top officials Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and BIR Commissioner Kim Henares are also nominated for the position. Their "bedazzling" performances at the Corona impeachment trial prove to be brownie points too difficult to ignore.

Also in the serious running for the Chief Justice post are government peace panel chair Marvic Leonen, ex-congressman for Makati Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin Jr, and former Solicitor-General Francisco "Frank" Chavez. Locsin is a known Cory Aquino ally but is a rabid critic of the BS Aquino administration.

By the bye, the "jokers" are also making some news.

Eyebrow-raising names that reached the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) include an unqualified applicant in the name of Jocelyn Esquivel, a non-lawyer. Esquivel is a nurse and teacher. A terminated regional trial court judge, Florentino Floro Jr., is also applying for the post. He was sacked by the Supreme Court in 2006 for his admission that he had been (and apparently would have continued doing so) consulting with dwarfs in making his court decisions. Floro, in his application, referred to himself as the "Chief Justice of the Universe."


Wanna know how Floro looks like? Click this link.