NOMINEES for the Supreme Court associate justice position vacated by former Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro said they would install CCTV cameras in courts and bring “a breath of fresh air” if appointed to the position.
Sandiganbayan Judge Alex D.L. Quiroz said during his panel interview by the Judicial and Bar Council he would push for the installation of CCTV cameras for each courtroom especially in first and second level courts.
“I will maintain…to have a camera or CCTV for each court room especially in the first and second level court so as to monitor the conduct and the norms of the trial and it would be a deterrent to all presiding judges that the Supreme Court or through the Office of the Court Administrator are watching them,” he said.
He also said that as CCTVs and cameras are connected to the Internet, courts in far-flung areas could be monitored by the High Court.
He also wanted to have an electronic court and wanted to avoid vagueness of the law to avoid giving much discretion to lower courts.
Lawyer Rita Linda V. Jimeno for her part said, “I have come across and handled many complex cases and I think this has prepared me well in the analysis of issues, analysis of facts, and the application of proper law.”
She cited her 32 years of experience as lawyer and in the academe, adding that, “as someone coming from the private sector, I think I can bring into the court a breath of fresh air in the sense that I know how the public looks at the judiciary and I think that I have also gathered some insights on what people think should be done to improve the judicial system.”
Other nominees who have been interviewed are Courts of Appeals Justices Oscar V. Badelles, Manuel M. Barrios, Apolinario D. Bruselas, Jr., Rosmari D. Carandang, Stephen C. Cruz, Edgardo L. Delos Santos, Japar B. Dimaampao, Ramon D.R. Garcia, and Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, and former Ateneo Law dean Cesar L. Villanueva.
Ms. De Castro, now retired, vacated her position of associate justice on Aug. 25 upon her appointment as the top magistrate. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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