Rodriguez accepts nomination as SC chief justice

REPRESENTATIVE Rufus Rodriguez (2nd District, Cagayan de Oro) is among those who accepted the nomination for chief justice as the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) closes its doors on Monday for applications and nominations.

Rodriguez was nominated by Lawyer Nicasio Tan.

In his acceptance letter to the JBC, Rodriguez said after due consultations with his constituents in the 2nd district, he accepted with great honor his nomination as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

While thanking Tan, Rodriguez filed his clearances both from public and private offices where he have held, among them as former Senior Board Member of Misamis Oriental from 1980 to 1984; Vice Governor of Misamis Oriental from 1980 to 1984 and 1984 to 1986; Dean of San Sebastian College of Law from 1990 to 1998 and as Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration from July 1998 to January 2001.

The lawmaker also secured clearances as member of the House of Representatives in the 14th Congress and currently a member of the 15th Congress, wherein he have a perfect attendance and even ranked first in the number of bills and resolutions filed with a total of 997, nine of which have become law, making him the House member with the most number of bills filed that became law.

Currently, Rodriguez is attending the 17th Session of the Rhodes Academy of Oceans Law and Policy in Greece until July 20.

JBC also noted that 18 nominees did not reply to their nominations, 27 declined while the other two recommended themselves for the position.

Among the latest to confirm their recommendation’s acceptance are Justice Secretary Leila De Lima and Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza.