“…But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand…” –Isaiah 32:8
Many Supreme Court justices, judges, and lawyers are literally on the edge of their seat, waiting with bated breath, amid the ongoing selection for the next Supreme Court chief justice, particularly after Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio declined the nomination to replace the ousted Maria Lourdes Sereno. Given his long tenure on the bench, his nomination would have been automatic had it not been for his decision.
Despite declining the possibility of nomination, that did not prevent other from asking him to reconsider the decision. Will he heed the call and go back on his word? What did he REALLY say in the interview (the full transcript is available on facebook.com/attybatas).
Transcript of Carpio declining a chief justice nomination
Interviewer: When you already look for nominees [for chief justice], what happens is, people will go through interviews again, am I right?
Carpio: Normally, yes.
Interviewer: Yes. Considering that you’re retiring in 2019, are you still willing to go through that again, if a colleague nominates you – honestly.
Carpio: Well, you see, as I said, I look at this at two levels. As head of the institution right now, although temporary, I will have to implement that decision of the court, that there is a vacancy, so we will open it for application. On a personal level, because I voted against it, I don’t want to benefit from it; so, I will decline any nomination.
Interviewer: Ahh, you’re going to decline any nomination?
Carpio: Yes.
Interviewer: So, this means, if you decline any nomination, you will not accept the post of chief justice, if ever.
Carpio: No. If you decline a nomination, then your name will not be included in the list to be submitted to the president.
Interviewer: Yeah, unless he chooses you outright.
Carpio: No. The president has to choose from the list of nominees submitted by the JBC (Judicial and Bar Council). He cannot choose outside of the list.
Interviewer: I see. Okay, which now means, okay, so, whether or not the president wants someone, whoever it may be, it doesn’t have to be you, if that persons is not [on] the JBC List, the president cannot choose that person, that’s one.
Carpio: That’s correct.
Interviewer: And, two, you refuse to be [on] the list?
Carpio: Well, because of my position, I have to be consistent with my position that quo warranto is not the proper way to remove a sitting member of the court. So, I don’t want to benefit from the decision to which I disagreed.
Interviewer: Yes.
Carpio: But, I will have to implement it because I am the temporary head of the institution.
Interviewer: Yeah. How have you reached this point in your career where you are able to, it seems to me that, you’ve already detached and found, frankly, that post unimportant to you at this phase in your life?
Carpio: Well, I’m about to retire so there’s really no… I don’t hanker for any position at this point.
Interviewer: Yeah.
Carpio is a man of integrity, principles, and his word (even then)
It is undeniable that Carpio is a person with integrity – a stickler for principles. Looking at his personal background, he is known for not going back on his word; not for the sake of a friend, associate, or even if it impacts the welfare of the country. As a former University of the Philippines College of Law grand archon, Carpio is used to upholding his word as the law.
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