De Lima won’t back out of race for Chief Justice

Tuesday, July 3, 2012
MANILA – Despite the doubts on her independence and integrity, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said Tuesday she will not withdraw her bid for the Chief Justice position.
In an interview, de Lima brushed aside questions on her character made by Lipa Archbishop Ramon Arguelles and House majority leader Neptali Gonzales II, saying she has already proven her mettle while she was still the head of the Commission on Human Rights, an independent constitutional body.
Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.
She said she was merely offering herself as an alternative to the so-called “insiders” in the Supreme Court (SC). If given a chance, she said she is ready to prove once again her independence as justice.
“I was able to prove independence when I was in the independent constitutional and I can do that again. I can prove again my sense of independence and my capacity for independence if I join against another independent body,” she said.
De Lima was among the 24 nominees who have accepted their nominations at the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), a body that screens and submits a shortlist for the President’s consideration to vacant judicial posts. She earlier inhibited as member of the JBC in anticipation of her nomination for the Chief justice post.
She also claimed that she could serve as the “unifying force” in the judiciary in case she is appointed as the country’s first female Chief Justice. Her acceptance of her nomination, however, was met with criticisms.
Arguelles said de Lima’s acceptance of her nomination reeks of bad taste, being an alter-ego of the President, thus, she is inclined to toe the administration line and do the bidding of her appointing power.
On the other hand, Gonzales said that her acceptance of her nomination gave rise to the allegations of ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona that he was removed from office to pave the way for the appointment of an Aquino ally.
JBC member lawyer Jose Mejia, who represents the academe, said the eight-member council will start publishing the list of nominees on July 9, after which, the eight-man panel will schedule a public interview of the aspirants where they will be asked about the opposition on their nominations.
The JBC then will deliberate and come up with a shortlist of nominees for consideration of the President, who has 90 days, or until August 29 to fill up the vacancy in the SC.
Mejia also said the number of qualified nominees who have accepted their nominations went down to 24 from 25 after Court of Appeals justice Vicente Veloso withdrew his conforme. Veloso earlier signified his acceptance of his nomination. No reason was given for his withdrawal.
He also said the two applicants for the Chief Justice post — Jocelyn Esquivel, a nurse, and former Malabon regional trial court judge Florentino Floro — will be excluded from the list to be published by the JBC for failure to meet the minimum requirements for the position.
Under the Constitution, a member of the Court must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines; at least 40 years of age but not 70 years old or more; must have been a lower court judge — or been practicing law in the country — for 15 years or more; and be of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.
In 2007, the SC ordered Floro to be separated from the service after medical findings showed that he was suffering from psychosis, a condition that made him unfit to perform his judicial functions.
Meanwhile, the SC did not grant the prayer of former Solicitor General Frank Chavez for the issuance of a temporary restraining order against the proceedings being conducted by the JBC in the search for the next chief justice.
Instead, the High Court ordered the JBC to comment within the non-extendible period of five days on the issues raised in the suit, particularly on the present composition of the panel, which gives two representations to Congress.
During its regular en banc session, the High Court, likewise directed Senator Francis Escudero and Iloilo Representative Niel Tupas, the chair of the committee on justice in the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, to file their separate comments on the petition.
All justices who have accepted their nominations inhibited from acting on Chavez’s petition, except for Associate Justice Roberto Abad, who was on official leave.
Aside from Abad, five other magistrates accepted their nominations for the top judicial posts, namely, Justices Antonio Carpio, Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Arturo Brion and Maria Lourdes Sereno, who is Aquino’s first appointee to the SC.
In his petition, Chavez questioned why the JBC gave two representations to Congress and gave both of them voting powers. He also questioned the argument of the panel that giving separate representations to Escudero and Tupas was based on its tradition. (JCV/Sunnex)
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2012/07/03/de-lima-wont-back-out-race-chief-justice-230047

Wine is becoming increasingly popular in Manila and other cities in the Philippines. Wine lovers in Manila travel to the north to visit Clark, Pampanga to shop for good and rate vintage wines at good duty-free prices. The most frequently visited liquor shop in Manila and wine shop in Pampanga is Clark Wine Center. This highly recommended wine shop located outside Manila near Angeles City, Pampanga in North Luzon is known for offering a great selection of fine vintage wine that is good quality and good value for money also.

Yats Leisure Philippines

This well-known wine shop is a famous shopping destination for wine enthusiasts in Manila and wine lovers from other cities in Asia including Hong Kong, Macau, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, Osaka and Tokyo.

Famous Philippines wine supplier known for its line of fine vintage wines, Yats Wine Cellars was established in 2000 to address the requirement of a growing population of wine enthusiasts in the Philippines. This 5-star wine shop caters to the discerning client who requires these qualities in their wines: (1) excellent value, (2) large selection of labels and vintages to choose from and (3) wines properly aged for full enjoyment.

Things to do in Clark Philippines and Pampanga: do a little wine shopping at the famous wine shop outside of Manila called Clark Wine Center. One of the favorite places to visit in Pampanga Clark Freeport is the white building along M A Roxas highway of Clark which houses over 2000 selections of fine vintage wines. The Clark Wine Center is one of the places to visit, a tourist spot and a good shopping place for those staying in Angeles City, Subic or Clark Pampanga. This is a great place to buy wine and also to drink wine in Pampanga.

Public wine tastings are held from time to time in Clark and sometimes in Manila. Tickets range from p500 to p1500 for these themed events that are professionally run –no wine merchants sponsorship, pushy salesmen or tacky banners to ruin the evening. Each ticket contains a certain number of stubs that can be redeemed for a tasting pour of a wine among those on a line-up which often contains wines that are quite old and expensive.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023

Tel: 0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Road, Ortigas Centger,
Metro Manila, Philippines 1605

Tel: (632) 637-5019 0917-540-3626 ask for Rea or Chay

Log on to this web site for more information about Yats Wine Cellars as the leading wine importer and wine supplier in the Philippines:

ats Wine Cellars Leading Wine Supplier in Philippines

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com