Court refuses to bar judges from NCCC nominees case
The Constitution Court has rejected an appeal that proposed to ban 11 of its 14 judges from a case involving the controversial qualifications of five nominees for the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC).
Court secretary-general Paiboon Warahapaiboon said yesterday the appeal by caretaker Senator Karun Sai-ngam alleged the 11 judges should not get involved in the case as they had been questioned, when assuming office, on the same charge as the five NCCC nominees. Some senators earlier doubted the nominees' qualifications under the definition of "equivalent to the rank of director-general in the civil service" as stated in the Constitution. Senate Speaker Suchon Chalee-krua has asked the court to rule on a conflict with its NCCC selection panel. The Constitution states anti-graft commissioners must have held the rank of director-general, or the equivalent, in the civil service. The selection panel considered the five nominees as qualified, but the Senate questioned the definition of "equivalent" and asked Suchon to seek a ruling. The five nominees are National Economic and Social Development Board deputy secretary-general Santi Bangor, Deputy Auditor-General Sajja Sasanawin, Basic Education Commission deputy secretary-general Areerat Watanasin, National Police Commission assistant commissioner Lt-General Wanchai Srinualnad and former Suan Sunantha Rajabhat University rector Dilok Bunruangrod. The court would consider the Senate's appeal next week, Paiboon said.
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