Weng Hsiao-ling Urges Grand Justice Renomination; Pan Meng-an Says Nomination is President's Prerogative

(CNA, Taipei, May 21, by reporter Wen Kuei-hsiang) KMT Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling criticized today that vacancies for Grand Justices have persisted for over a year and a half, yet President Lai Ching-te has delayed renominating candidates. Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an responded that the president had already nominated 14 legal figures on two occasions, both of which were entirely rejected by the Legislative Yuan. "Should we send them again?" he retorted, leading to a verbal clash. After the meeting, he emphasized that whether to renominate Grand Justice candidates is the president's prerogative, and he was only stating facts without any intention of arguing with the legislator. The Legislative Yuan's Judiciary and Organic Laws and Statutes Committee reviewed the 2026 (Minguo 115) work plans and budgets for the Presidential Office, National Security Council (NSC), and Academia Historica. Presidential Office Secretary-General Pan Meng-an, NSC Secretary-General Joseph Wu, and Academia Historica President Chen Yi-shen were in attendance. KMT Legislator Weng Hsiao-ling stated that the Grand Justice vacancies have now lasted a year and a half, and President Lai simply refuses to nominate. She argued that even though two previous lists were not approved by the Legislative Yuan, the president, based on his constitutional duty of loyalty, must renominate candidates. She questioned whether Hsieh Ming-yang would continue as acting president until all seven justices' terms expire, asserting that Taiwan's legal community has far more than just 14 elites. Pan Meng-an stated: "President Lai, in accordance with the Constitution, sent two lists of 14 Grand Justice candidates, which were rejected by the Legislative Yuan. You're saying we should send more? Twice, 14 of the nation's top legal elites were rejected one by one by you all." Weng Hsiao-ling retorted that according to the Constitution, President Lai should continue to nominate Grand Justice candidates. Pan Meng-an replied: "To be continuously rejected by you all again? Taiwan's legal community is heartbroken to see a Congress like this. No legal elite would accept coming here to be humiliated, bullied, and have everything denied. We will put forth nominations at an appropriate time." The two engaged in a heated exchange. When asked after the meeting if his comment "Should we send more?" meant there would be no more nominations, Pan Meng-an told reporters that the nomination of Grand Justices is the president's decision, not his. He said his main point was responding to Weng Hsiao-ling's preconceived notions, and that he was merely explaining the process—that it wasn't a matter of not sending lists, but that they were sent twice and rejected. He was only talking about facts, not criticizing legislators or seeking a fight. He emphasized, "I am only stating a fact, I didn't say whether we would or would not send a list. Whether to send one is the president's prerogative." He was only clarifying the facts.