By: Jesus F. Llanto 
ABS-CBNNews.com
February 6, 2009

A Supreme Court appointments watchdog has recommended asking the Civil Service Commission to help in conducting background investigation on the nominees to the SC vacancies and requiring the members of the Judicial and Bar Council to explain their votes.  

In a dialogue with the Judicial and Bar Council, the Bantay Korte Suprema (BKS) has recommended tapping the CSC in checking the qualifications of the nominees to the SC.  

Senator Francis Pangilinan, a former JBC member and a convenor of the BKS, said there is need to have a memorandum of agreement with the CSC to strengthen the background investigation of the nominees to the Supreme Court.  

The CSC is the central personnel agency of the government that is tasked to promote accountability in public office. It has the power to issue administrative sanctions or even fire erring government employees.  

Vincent Lazatin, executive director of the Transparecy and Accountability Network, told abs-cbnnews.com/Newsbreak this measure will help provide more information about the nominees. “The JBC relies heavily on the investigations of the National Bureau of Investigation.”  

Pangilinan told Newsbreak the background investigation of the CSC can supplement the findings of the NBI. “The NBI has done some investigations but these are not enough. The NBI is also overworked.”  

Pangilinan said that CSC chair Ricardo Saludo has expressed support for the proposal.

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