Leonen declines nomination to chief justice post

MANILA, Philippines —  Associate Justice Marvic Leonen declined his automatic nomination to the chief justice post on Monday.

Supreme Court spokesperson Brian Hosaka confirmed to reporters that Leonen, one of the five most senior justices at the tribunal, declined his nomination to be the next head of the judiciary.

Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin is set to retire on October 18.

This is the third time that Leonen has declined his automatic nomination for the chief justice position.

Leonen, in a statement sent through the SC PIO, said there is no requirement to share the reason for declining the post.

“For now, in my considered judgement, my decision is the right thing to do for myself, this Court and this country,” he explained.

“I will be able to do what I do best for our people in my current position at this time,” Leonen added.

He then expressed his commitment to the next chief justice.

RELATED: Public interviews for 28 Supreme Court justice aspirants set

JBC to accept nominations until August 20

Five of the most senior justices of the SC received an automatic nomination to the chief justice post, but they are required to submit a formal acceptance to be considered a candidate.

Hosaka said the other four justices with automatic nomination have not yet sent their acceptance or rejection to their recommendation.

Others who received an automatic nomination for the post were Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Benjamin Caguioa.

Carpio is retiring from the SC on October 26, a week after Bersamin steps down. A STAR report on August 1 said Carpio has yet to decide whether or not to vie for the chief justice post.

The JBC will accept applications to the chief justice post until Tuesday, August 20.