The Judicial and Bar Council just celebrated its 20th Anniversary on 10 December 2007. The ecumenical prayer service and the program were held at the Old Session Hall, Supreme Court, Manila. The occasion was graced with the presence of three Chief Justices, namely: former Chief Justice Andres R. Narvasa; former Chief Justice Artemio V. Panganiban; and incumbent Chief Justice and JBC Ex Officio Chairman Reynato S. Puno. Other former and incumbent JBC Ex Officio and Regular Members, Consultants and Officials likewise joined in the celebration.
To promote transparency and accountability, the Judicial and Bar Council conducted its 1st Forum on JBC Processes on 23 October 2007 at 1:30-5:00 p.m. at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City. The participants who attended came from various sectors, namely: (1) academe; (2) Alternative Law Groups; (3) Integrated Bar of the Philippines; (4) Judges; (5) Philippine Judges Association; (6) media; (7) non-government organizations; (8) civic organizations; (9) Public Attorney’s Office; (10) Prosecutors; (11) religious sector; (12) Clerks of Court; (13) other government agencies; (14) American Bar Association-Rule of Law Initiative; and the (15) Supreme Court.
Psychometric testing and psychiatric evaluation of applicants for judicial positions in Regions 10, 11, and 12 was also held simultaneously with the forum by Supreme Court psychologists and consultant psychiatrists.
On 23 October 2007 psychometric testing, psychiatric evaluation and personal interviews (PPI) of judicial applicants for Regions 10, 11 and 12 were also held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. A total of 32 applicants were interviewed by the JBC Regular Members, 15 of whom also underwent psychometric testing and psychiatric evaluation.
The project was accomplished with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the American Bar Association-Rule of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI).
Historical Background