Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 15) – The Supreme Court has issued a resolution recommending that the Judicial and Bar Council exempt the five most senior justices – who were automatically nominated for the chief justice post – from doing public interviews.
The resolution also seeks to exclude Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, and Associate Justices Marvic Leonen, Alfredo Caguioa, Alexander Gesmundo, and Ramon Hernando from submitting clearances, medical exam results, and other documentary requirements, except for the application letter.
“The Court hereby resolves, as it is hereby resolved, to recommend that the Judicial and Bar Council exempt the five most senior Associate Justices of the Supreme Court who are automatically considered for nomination for the position of Chief Justice, from participating in the public interviews to be conducted by the JBC and from submitting the clearances, medical examination results, and documentary requirements, save for the Application or Conforme Letter,” read the resolution dated February 9.
However, the JBC has yet to act on the resolution.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the JBC has extended the application for the next chief justice until February 26.
“Online and physical submission of the documentary requirements should also be completed before the aforementioned new deadline,” Guevarra said.
The high court earlier approved Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta’s early retirement on March 27 – his 69th birthday. He was supposed to retire next year, upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Peralta was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte in October 2019.
The next most senior to Peralta is Bernabe. She is followed by fellow Leonen, Caguioa, Gesmundo, and Hernando.
Bernabe, Leonen, and Caguioa were all appointed by former president Benigno Aquino III. Gesmundo and Hernando were Duterte appointees.
CNN Philippines Correspondent Anjo Alimario and Multi-Platform News Writer Vince Ferreras contributed to this report
Supreme Court also issued a resolution recommending that JBC exempt five most senior justices from submitting clearances, medical exam results, and documentary requirements – except for application or conforme letter. @cnnphilippines pic.twitter.com/37XoSr9UCh
— Anjo Cagmat Alimario (@anjocalimario) February 15, 2021
