Nachura said Santiago is very much qualified to replace Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, who retires on Dec. 7.
Santiago exceeded the constitutional requirements of a candidate for chief justice, including having been in the legal profession for 15 years, a member of the Philippine Bar Association and a natural born citizen, he said.
"Sen. Santiago is very qualified and I’m sure if she will be the next Supreme Court chief justice, she will be very fair and she will not allow favors but this is entirely the prerogative of the President," Nachura said.
"There are no political considerations here (nomination) and I don’t think the issue of Sen. Santiago being an ally of the administration would be an issue."
Nachura pointed out that Santiago served as judge, immigration chief and agrarian reform secretary before becoming a senator.
Even when she was in between public posts, Santiago engaged in private law practice.
Aside from Santiago, other nominees are Associate Justices Reynato Puno, Leonardo Quisumbing, Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Angelina Sandoval Gutierrez and Antonio Carpio.
President Arroyo has 90 days to appoint a new chief justice once Panganiban retires. — Paolo Romero