Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The second and final day of public interviews for aspirants for the Supreme Court associate justice post continued on Friday (January 8) with eight more candidates facing the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).
This time, the list included Solicitor General Florin Hilbay.
JBC member Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez asked Hilbay how he would separate his personal and legal views, in case he gets appointed.
Sandoval-Gutierrez read excerpts of Hilbay’s book “Unplugging the Constitution” where he discussed various topics including marriage and family.
In his book, Hilbay said marriage should be delegalized.
He’s quick to explain though before the panel that’s part of his philosophical view on the topic — and not a legal proposal. It’s not a preview of how he will decide as a Justice.
Hilbay said there was a clear line between his personal and legal views — adding he’s aware he’ll be wearing a different hat.
For him, it’s not the marriage that counted, it’s the quality of relationship that mattered.
Hilbay was also proposing for fewer decisions to be decided by the court.
He wanted to have a Rule of 7 or seven justices approving a petition before it will BE decided by the full court.
Aside from Hilbay, the others lined up for interview were: Stephen Cruz, Reynaldo Daway, Mariflor Punzalan-Castillo, Maria Gracia Pulido-Tan, Alex Quiroz, Andres Reyes Jr. and Jose Reyes Jr.
CNN Philippines’ Anjo Alimario contributed to this report.
