The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has invited the five senior associate justices of the Supreme Court (SC) to apply for the position of chief justice ahead of Alexander Gesmundo’s compulsory retirement on November 6.
In a statement on Tuesday, the JBC said it invited the following senior associate justices to submit their application:
Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa
Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando
Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting
Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda
On Saturday, the JBC opened applications and nominations for the next Supreme Court chief justice.
It also set a deadline for the applications, along with the necessary documentary requirements, on October 13 at 4:30 p.m.
The JBC is a constitutional body that has a mandate to vet nominees to the president for vacant posts in the judiciary, the Office of the Ombudsman, and members of the Legal Education Board.
Since the early 2000s, the body has been practicing inviting the five most senior SC associate justices to apply for the chief justice post ‘as a matter of courtesy and in recognition of their seniority.’