SANTO DOMINGO.- Supreme Court (SCJ) justice Julio Ibarra Rios’ warning yesterday that the National Magistrate Council  (CNM) seeks to oust some of his colleagues and gain control of the high court brought a quick response from the ruling PLD party and the Executive Branch, who denied the allegation.

Justice Commissioner Alejandro Moscoso discarded the possibility that the Government is pressing to control the Judicial Branch and said he’s sure that process, that it will have to take place when president Leonel Fernandez considers it, will be transparent and with the consensus and participation of all sectors of Dominican society.

Ibarra said a serious offense would be committed if the judges who are protected by tenure are removed and for that the Judicial Career Law would also have to be modified, which sets a limit of 75 years of age for a judge to remain on the bench.

After defending the work done by the justices, Ibarra said, “no one here can accuse the Supreme Court of harboring acts of incorruption.”

For his part, Senate president and ruling PLD party general secretary Reynaldo Pared last night said Ibarra’s claim was “totally false” and proof of that was the fact that “the Senate hasn’t even elected its representative in the CNM.”