Peralta is acting chief justice for 6 days

MANILA, Philippines — Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta has been named acting chief of the Supreme Court (SC).

Peralta, second most senior magistrate of the high court, will temporarily head the SC as acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio is on a leave of absence starting today until Nov. 4.

In Special Order No. 2611 issued yesterday, Peralta was designated “acting senior associate justice” of the SC with the authority to exercise power and prerogative on matters that cannot wait for Carpio.

Both Carpio and Peralta are vying for the top judicial post that was vacated by former chief justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro who retired on Oct. 10.

The three other nominees for the top SC post are Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Andres Reyes Jr.   

The SC justices are currently on a recess and will resume sessions next week.