TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
‘tj i'll, 14 :ir) Fi)
SENATE
S. No.
484
Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE 
JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The composition of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is provided for under 
Section 8, Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution. Its function is to recommend to the 
President appointees to the Judiciary, from which the President appoints judges and 
justices without need for confirmation by the Commission on Appointments. Note 
should also be taken that the regular members of the JBC as provided for under 
Section 8 (2), Article VIII are also appointed by the President.
This bill seeks to ban reappointments to the JBC in order to avoid the possibility 
of instances where its members, in their desire to be reappointed to the Council, 
succumb to pressure from the executive to nominate individuals based on political 
considerations instead of their actual merits and qualifications, seriously undermining 
the quality of judicial appointments and the independence of the judiciary as a whole.
Moreover, reappointments to the JBC may also result in a loss of opportunity 
for other legal experts to serve in the Council, limiting the number of talented 
individuals who might inform and enlighten the Council with their views and insights.
In the end, enhancing the independence of the JBC by avoiding political 
considerations and providing equal access and opportunity to public office will 
strengthen the independence of our judiciary, ultimately promoting the fair 
administration of justice in this country.
For the foregoing reasons, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
CUDERO
FRANCIS


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
Zb
14 Ai:)
SENATE
S. No.
484
Introduced by Senator Francis G. Escudero
AN ACT
PROHIBITING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE 
JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assemble
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Judiciary Independence
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Enhancement Act.
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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enhance the independence of the judiciary by insulating it from political pressure.
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Sec. 3. Composition of the Judicial and Bar Council. - For the purposes of this
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Act and pursuant to Section 8 (2), Article VIII of the 1987 Constitution, the following
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are the regular members of the Judicial and Bar Council, appointed by the President
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for a term of four (4) years with the consent of the Commission on Appointments:
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(a) Representative of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines;
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(b) Professor of Law;
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(c) Retired Member of the Supreme Court; and
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(d) Representative of the Private Sector.
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Sec. 4. Persons Covered. - A regular member of the Judicial and Bar Council
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who has been appointed as such for a full or partial term of office shall not be eligible
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for reappointment.


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Sec. 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
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unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision or part not otherwise
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affected shali remain vaiid and subsisting.
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Sec. 6. Repealing Clause. - Aii iaws, presidentiai decrees, executive orders,
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rules and regulations, or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of
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this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
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Sec. 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,