Resolution Providing for the Suspension of the Three-Year Validity Period of the Pre-Judicature Program as Provided under Section 2, Rule 3, Paragraph 3 of the 2020 Revised Rules of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC No. 2020-01)

April 7, 2022

JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. JBC 04-2022

RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE SUSPENSION OF THE THREE-YEAR VALIDITY PERIOD OF THE PRE-JUDICATURE PROGRAM AS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 2, RULE 3, PARAGRAPH 3 OF THE 2020 REVISED RULES OF THE JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL (JBC NO. 2020-01)

WHEREAS, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is mandated by the Constitution and pertinent laws to recommend appointees to positions in the Judiciary, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Legal Education Board (LEB). Under this mandate, the JBC shall provide rules and guidelines in the selection and nomination of applicants, as well as the conduct of the entire process of application and shall update the same whenever necessary or as may be required by circumstances;

WHEREAS, on 21 May 2020, the JBC promulgated its Revised Rules, JBC No. 2020-01, which became effective on 8 June 2021; and later on amended through JBC Resolution No. 3-2021 including the provision on the validity period of three (3) years for the Pre-Judicature Program (PJP);

WHEREAS, in the JBC Special En Banc Meeting on 1 April 2022 attended by officials and representatives of the Philippine Judicial Academy (PHILJA), the Council resolved to suspend the validity period of the PJP while studies are being undertaken to assess the impact of the said provision on the overall application process and for the duration that PHILJA is 1) addressing the growing number of judicial applicants; 2) introducing more stringent standards to upgrade the quality of prospective judges; and 3) adopting more responsive mechanisms to erase backlog in the PJP programs;

WHEREFORE, the Council RESOLVES, as it is hereby resolved, to suspend the three-year validity period of the Pre-Judicature Program.

This Resolution shall take effect immediately.

(SGD.) ALEXANDER G. GESMUNDOChief Justice and JBC Ex Officio Chairperson

(SGD.) MENARDO I. GUEVARRASecretary of Justice and JBC Ex Officio Vice Chairperson

(SGD.) RICHARD J. GORDONChairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights of the Senate of the Philippines and JBC Ex Officio Member Representing Congress

(SGD.) VICENTE S.E. VELOSO IIIChairperson of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights of the House of Representatives and JBC Ex Officio Member Representing Congress

(SGD.) JOSE CATRAL MENDOZAJBC Regular Member Representing the Retired Members of the Supreme Court

(SGD.) TORIBIO E. ILAO, JR.JBC Regular Member Representing the Private Sector

(SGD.) NOEL GIMENEZ TIJAMJBC Regular Member Representing the Academe

(SGD.) FRANKLIN J. DEMONTEVERDEJBC Regular Member Representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines

 

Published in the Manila Bulletin on April 14, 2022.