JBC opens nomination for Chief Justice position on Sept. 29

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will open the nomination for the Chief Justice position beginning Sept. 29, one of its members said Friday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, an ex-officio member of the JBC said the deadline for submission of requirements for those interested will be on Oct. 15.

The JBC will begin vetting nominations and applications for the chief justice position with the upcoming retirement of Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro.

De Castro will mandatory retire at the age of 70 on Oct. 8, 2018.

As required by the JBC rules, only nominations with a letter of acceptance from the nominee will be processed.

The five most senior Associate Justices of the Supreme Court are automatically nominated but still has to submit a letter of acceptance and other requirements.

The five are Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano Del Castillo and Estela Perlas-Bernabe.  /muf