5 chief justice applicants to face Judicial and Bar Council on Aug. 16

MANILA, Philippines — The five candidates vying for the position of chief justice will face the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Aug. 16 and the public can watch it on the internet. 

The Supreme Court (SC) announced on its Twitter account yesterday that proceedings will be live-streamed by its Public Information Office.

According to the SC, the seven-man JBC panel will conduct the public interviews of the five applicants to replace ousted chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.  

The five candidates are SC Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado Peralta and Lucas Bersamin, Andres Reyes Jr. and Tagum City, Davao del Norte Regional Trial Court Branch 1 Judge Virginia Tejano-Ang. 

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, an ex-officio member of the JBC, said the JBC will hold its final deliberations on Aug 31.

The JBC will then make a shortlist of its candidates and submit it to President Duterte, who will choose the next chief justice.

Of the five candidates, De Castro, Peralta and Bersamin were automatic candidates because they were considered senior magistrates of the high court. 

Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio did not apply for the position out of delicadeza and will instead be the JBC’s acting chairman.

Carpio voted against the ouster of Sereno via quo warranto case that was upheld by the SC, saying the chief justice can only be removed by impeachment.

Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. is retiring on Aug. 7 and no longer applied for the position. 

Last Tuesday, during the SC’s full session, Bersamin received the highest number of votes from his fellow magistrates for the position of chief justice.

Bersamin got 10 votes followed by De Castro and Peralta with nine votes each, while Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. got two votes. The result of the voting will be forwarded to the JBC.

Martires replacement

The JBC, meanwhile, announced that it is now accepting applications for the position vacated by SC associate justice Samuel Martires, who was appointed ombudsman vice Conchita Carpio-Morales.

The JBC said the deadline for the submission of applications is on Sept. 3.

Duterte chose the 69-year-old Martires, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 on Jan. 2.

Martires opted for early retirement, which was approved by the SC.