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Francisco Chavez Vs. Judicial and Bar Council, et al. [DISSENTING OPINION, LEONEN, J.]

G.R. No. 202242- FRANCISCO I. CHAVEZ, Petitioner, vs. JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL, SENATOR FRANCIS ESCUDERO AND REP. NEIL TUPAS, JR., Respondents. [DISSENTING OPINION, LEONEN, J.]

G.R. NO. 202242 | 2013-04-16

ENBANC 

DISSENTING OPINION

LEONEN, J.:

I dissent. 

Both the Senate and the House of Representatives must be represented in the Judicial and Bar Council. This is the Constitution's mandate read as a whole and in the light of the ordinary and contemporary understanding of our people of the structure of our government. Any other interpretation diminishes Congress and negates the effectivity of its representation in the Judicial and Bar Council. 

It is a Constitution we are interpreting. More than privileging a textual preposition, our duty is to ensure that the constitutional project ratified by our people is given full...