Caguioa vows to restore public trust in judiciary if named chief justice

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Associate Justice Benjamin Caguioa said Thursday that he wants to restore public trust in the judiciary if appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court.

During his interview with the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), Caguioa said the judiciary must redirect focus to the core value of the judiciary as an independent institution that should not be swayed by money or politics.

“My focus now really is the trial judges because they are the face of the judiciary. So I want the public to trust the judiciary. For me, there’s a lack of trust,” he said.

“Maybe that’s why they go to radio stations to complain. That, for me, says a lack of trust in the system,” he added.

Caguioa was part of the first batch of candidates interviewed for the position that will be vacated by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo in November.

He said that if he is appointed, his colleagues can expect him to act the same.

“They know me… they know I’m straight… I simply follow the law. I don’t deviate. I respect the separation of powers. They can expect me to be the same,” he said.

When asked how he wanted to be remembered as a chief justice, if appointed, Caguioa said he wanted to be known as “just a decent guy.”

The JBC members present were Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro, retired SC Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, lawyer Nesauro Firme, retired Court of Tax Appeals Associate Justice Erlinda Piñera, and lawyer Jose Meija.—LDF, GMA News