Carpio wants to clip P-noy power on transfer of judges

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga – Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio yesterday said he wants to cut presidential powers on the transfer of judges to new assignments, contrary to speculation that he would be “submissive” to Malacañang if he is appointed to lead the Supreme Court.

In a speech at the twoday convention of the In- tegrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)-Central Luzon here, Carpio cited the need for legislation so that the

appointment of judges to another court will be put solely in the hands of the High Tribunal.

At present, Carpio noted that lateral transfer of judges needs nomination by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) and the final approval of the President.

“Every time a judge makes a lateral transfer, he accumulates political debts which weaken his independence,” he lamented.

Carpio also urged the JBC to find ways to reduce vacancies in various courts, noting that the overall vacancy rate in the first and second level courts is 25.6 percent.

“The vacancy rate in existing trial courts should ideally be less than five percent,” he said.

He said that “the number of courts in a locality must follow a judge-to-population ratio.” He noted that in Manila, the ratio is one first level judge for every 55,072 residents while in Makati City, the ratio is one for every 72,911 residents.

Carpio also said that not only the chief justice should execute bank waivers to verify the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) but “all other applicants to the judiciary.”

“This is not an additional qualification for the office, but merely a tool to determine the integrity of the applicant,” he said.

At the same time, Carpio urged the Supreme Court’s creation of a permanent administrative tribunal to handle administrative complaints against judges and justices instead of the present ad hoc investigative bodies.

He likewise stressed the need for better pay for judges.

“The Supreme Court must continue to find ways to improve the compensation package of judges and justices,” he said.