Aquino's legal team helps de Lima in JBC issue

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III said Thursday that his legal team is helping Justice Secretary de Lima in resolving conflicts regarding her nomination to the Chief Justice post.

"Tinatrabaho ng ating legal staff, tinutulungan siya (Our legal staff is helping her)," Aquino said in an ambush interview at the sidelights of the awarding ceremony of the 2012 Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines in Malacanang.

The President, however, did not elaborate what help the Palace legal team is extending to de Lima.

"Siguro hintayin na natin matapos 'yung processes ng JBC before I make a comment (Let's wait for the JBC screening process to finish before I make a comment). As you know, I have to wait for that list before I can decide," he said.

De Lima is seen as the frontrunner for the next Chief Justice post.

Although Aquino earlier said that he preferred de Lima to remain in the Justice department, the Palace still welcomed her nomination, citing her competence in implementing reforms in the judiciary.

On August 6, the JBC will discuss whether or not de Lima should be disqualified from the Chief Justice race following the decision of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to push through with the investigation into the disbarment complaints filed against her.

De Lima is one of the 20 nominees interviewed and screened by the JBC panel for the replacement of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was impeached for betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.

Last July 30, the IBP decided to conduct a formal investigation of the disbarment cases against de Lima including her defiance of Supreme Court order allowing former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to travel abroad and seek medical treatment. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)