Back

Rep. Umali vs. The Judicial and Bar Council [DISSENTING OPINION, LEONEN, J.]

REP. REYNALDO V. UMALI, IN HIS CAPACITY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND EX OFFICIO MEMBER OF THE JBC, PETITIONER, VS. THE JUDICIAL AND BAR COUNCIL, CHAIRED BY THE HON. MARIA LOURDES P.A. SERENO, CHIEF JUSTICE AND EX OFFICIO CHAIRPERSON, RESPONDENT.

G.R. No. 228628 | 2017-07-25

DISSENTING OPINION

LEONEN, J.:

This Court is once again tasked to re-examine our interpretation of Article VIII, Section 8(1) of the Constitution, previously the subject of this Court's review in Chavez v. Judicial and Bar Council.[1] In the aftermath of Chavez, we see the absurd and unworkable effects of having only one (1) representative of Congress within the Judicial and Bar Council.

Chavez v. Judicial and Bar Council[2] sanctioned what was clearly unintended by the Constitution: the periodic disempowerment of one (1) legislative chamber. In doing so, it weakens Congress itself as a bicameral constitutional department. The subtraction...