Independent Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan lauded the Judicial Bar and Council’s refusal to modify its shortlist of Supreme Court Justices that President Arroyo returned.

“The JBC is merely asserting its constitutional mandate by standing its ground. The president cannot go against this. It’s a basic institutional process of check and balance.”

Pangilinan also urged the JBC not to give in to political pressure. “It has happened in the past that the JBC made a 180 degree turnaround in a position taken on an issue, and we hope that this will not happen in this case,” the former Senate representative to the JBC says.

Pangilinan also questioned Malacañang’s statement of a constitutional crisis if the JBC insists on its list. “We are dumbfounded by these statements. Why should the administration pressure a constitutionally appointed body to do its bidding?”

“What the administration should do is give a plausible explanation as to why they find the list unacceptable other than them exercising their executive privilege. These privileges should be exercised with discretion so as not to be misconstrued as an abuse of power,” Pangilinan said.

Earlier, Sen Francis Escudero also warned the Palace not to interfere in the selection process being made by the JBC for the vacant post in Supreme Court.