The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Thursday decided to send the names of five candidates aspiring for the chief justice post to Malacañang after extensive deliberation.
The names, which will be transmitted directly to the Office of the President, comes ahead of the mandatory retirement of incumbent Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo on November 6.
Aspiring for the top judiciary posts are Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Rodil Zalameda, Japar Dimaampao, and Jose Midas Marquez.
JBC is constitutionally mandated to vet applicants for the judicial positions and top posts at the Office of the Ombudsman.
Once Malacañang formally receives the list, the President has a 90-day constitutional window from the vacancy date to select and appoint the nation’s 28th Chief Justice.