Friday, May 25, 2007 Palace mulls options on controversial SC nominee's case
MALACANANG said it is studying whether to return the list of nominees for Supreme Court (SC) associate justice to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) or decide on the citizenship of Sandiganbayan Justice Gregory Ong on its own based on the documents submitted by Ong.
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Ong's appointment is still being held by Malacañang while it is studying what options to take. "This is a very delicate matter," he said.
Ermita said the Palace is also consulting with the JBC, particularly Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr., on how to go about the matter or whether to give back to the list to the JBC for reevaluation.
"We are still at that stage to determine whether what course of action to take: await JBC validation or can we stand already on what the presentation of document Justice Ong that we can submit it to the SC," he said.
Asked whether President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would maximize the 90 days that she has to decide on the issue, Ermita said: "Since may mga issues na kailangang i-validate na correct (Since there are issues that still have to be validated as corrected, we are doing everything to correct this before any final action is done by the President."
The 90-day period expires on July 24.
Ermita said he knows nothing about reports that Ong is being backed by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno and Presidential brother Diosdado Macapagal Jr., citing presidential prerogative. (JMR/Sunnex)
