A Court of Appeals justice aspiring for the Supreme Court felt a whiff of the new dispensation when he asked for a meeting with a member of the Judicial and Bar Council and was rejected.

Noel Tijam, invoking university ties, requested to meet with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who sits on the JBC, the body that vets nominees to the judiciary. Tijam and de Lima went to the same law school in San Beda. De Lima reportedly told Tijam that she didn't want to meet with him because he's a candidate for the Supreme Court. This is Tijam's second try at the Court.

De Lima has set the tone for ethical and proper conduct in the JBC. As alter ego of President Aquino, she sent the signal that it's no longer business as usual in the JBC. Will this example be followed by the rest of the JBC members as well as officials in Malacanang who will vet the JBC list? This bears watching.

President Aquino will make his first appointment to the Supreme Court next month based on a shortlist that will be prepared by the JBC. There are 28 aspirants for the seat left vacant by Renato Corona when he was appointed chief justice.

Under Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, lobbying was intense and power brokers thrived. Loyalty, rather than merit and integrity, ruled selection and appointments.

The JBC is currently conducting interviews with candidates for the SC and they are expected to conclude on Friday (July 23).

We have yet to hear President Aquino say his piece on this vital process. (Newsbreak)

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