The nomination of the president and vice president of the Judicial Yuan will take practical experience and academic renown into consideration, Presidential Office spokesperson Alex Huang (黃重諺) said, adding that calls to consider the gender ratio of appointees to the Council of Grand Justices would also be taken under advisement.
President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) is reportedly considering former grand justice Hsu Tzong-li (許宗力) and Taiwan High Court Judge Tsai Chung-tun (蔡炯燉) for president and vice president of the Judicial Yuan, respectively, following the withdrawal of Public Functionary Disciplinary Sanction Commission Chief Commissioner Hsieh Wen-ting (謝文定) and Judicial Yuan Secretary-General Lin Chin-fang (林錦芳).
Local media reports also said that the president might tap National Taiwan University law professors Hsu Chih-hsiung (許志雄), Huang Chao-yuan (黃昭元), Chan San-lin (詹森林) and human rights lawyer Huang Juei-min (黃瑞明) as grand justices.
The president is using a variety of methods to garner feedback on who should be appointed to the positions, including meeting with potential candidates, Alex Huang said.
Meanwhile, the Awakening Foundation on Friday said that the rumored candidates were not only mostly male, but many of them were also known for their conservative commentaries regarding gender equality.
The president should nominate women who are aware of gender issues, the foundation said, adding that such a move would serve to shake up the prominently conservative male upper echelons at the Judicial Yuan.
The foundation suggested that Tsai Ing-wen name former grand justice Hsu Yu-hsiu (許玉秀) as a candidate for either president or vice president of the Judicial Yuan, adding that such an appointment would not be unconstitutional, as the Constitution does not restrict reappointment to office.
In response, Alex Huang said the president would make the appointments in accordance with the Constitution, adding that while judicial reforms should be transparent to the public, it should also be implemented by individuals familiar with judicial proceedings.
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DEADLOCK: As the commission is unable to forum a quorum to review license renewal applications, the channel operators are not at fault and can air past their license date The National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said that the Public Television Service (PTS) and 36 other television and radio broadcasters could continue airing, despite the commission’s inability to meet a quorum to review their license renewal applications. The licenses of PTS and the other channels are set to expire between this month and June. The National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法) stipulates that the commission must meet the mandated quorum of four to hold a valid meeting. The seven-member commission currently has only three commissioners. “We have informed the channel operators of the progress we have made in reviewing their license renewal applications, and
Taiwan-based publisher Li Yanhe (李延賀) has been sentenced to three years in prison, fined 50,000 yuan (US$6,890) in personal assets and deprived political rights for one year for “inciting secession” in China, China's Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua (陳斌華) said today. The Shanghai First Intermediate People’s Court announced the verdict on Feb. 17, Chen said. The trial was conducted lawfully, and in an open and fair manner, he said, adding that the verdict has since come into legal effect. The defendant reportedly admitted guilt and would appeal within the statutory appeal period, he said, adding that the defendant and his family have
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