Conversation

JBC member Judge Ilao points out to Jimeno that she’s up against SB and CA justices. “Why should we choose you and disregard loyalty and seniority?” Jimeno says she is hardworking and can offer fresh ideas.

Ilao asks about Corona impeachment and Sereno quo warranto. Jimeno says “I believe that the Supreme Court is more stable and more calm in the eyes of the public because there is no more question about the propriety of a judge sitting in the Court.”

Jimeno: The strength of the Supreme Court is that it is resilient.

Jimeno: I want to be a judicial activist in the sense that I want to make a ruling based on the big picture, not just on what the law strictly says.

Justice Mendoza now asking Jimeno when is it valid to discriminate in law, for example giving senior citizens some privileges not given to other age groups. “What are the levels of scrutiny?” Mendoza asked, Jimeno still articulating her answer.

Justice Mendoza asks Jimeno about People v Lim where the SC acquitted a drug suspect for failure of the police to follow chain of custody. Jimeno says she's not aware of the decision. (Read about it here: rappler.com/nation/213324-)

JBC panel done interviewing Atty Jimeno, the mother of former Corona defense counsel Karen Jimeno. Atty Jimeno is the dean of the CEU Law School. She is managing partner at the Jimeno Cope & David Law Offices, who specializes in family law.

Up next is Sandiganbayan Justice Alex Quiroz.

JBC member Atty Cayosa asking Quiroz why he inhibited from the Argosino-Robles-Sombero plunder case. Quiroz explains he is "acquainted" to Wally Sombero, "who visited my siblings in the States and who also visits me sometimes in my house."

Justice Quiroz was among those who approved Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia's controversial plea bargain deal with the Office of the Ombudsman

Quiroz on importance of SALN: Important to me because I have to record my assets and my family's, but how accurate, not really that accurate, but I consider some margin of error.

A certain Luis Martinez sent an opposition to Quiroz to the JBC. In the opposition, Martinez said Quiroz is "not intellectually and morally fit." "He's a habitual drunkard who goes out with people with pending cases," said the oppositor.

Quiroz said Martinez is a former colleague at the Pasig Metropolitan Trial Court. "It's all in his imagination, he's old," said Quiroz, particularly the accusation that he was once fined by the Supreme Court.

What is his biggest achievement in the Sandiganbayan? Quiroz says: I might not have a very significant, sterling achievement yet, but as time goes by...because it's too hard to praise myself, it depends on the people around me.