Leonen on declining nomination as SC chief justice: ‘It’s the right thing to do’

MANILA, Philippines — In declining his automatic nomination as chief justice, Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen did not state any particular reason. What he said, however, was that his decision “is the right thing to do for myself, this Court, and this country.”

Leonen is one of the five most senior justices of the Supreme Court that is automatically nominated for the post that will become vacant upon the retirement of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin when he turns 70 years old on October 18.

Aside from Leonen, others who were automatically nominated for the top justice post by the high court’s en banc are Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, and Associate Justices Diosdado M. Peralta, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa.

“I confirm that I have declined the nomination of the Court en banc to the position of Chief Justice vice Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin,” Leonen said.

“There is no requirement to state our reasons for declining the nomination. For now, in my considered judgment, my decision is the right thing to do for myself, this Court and this country,” he added.

The magistrate then stated his commitment of support to whoever will replace Bersamin.

“As always, I am committed to giving my support to whoever is constitutionally appointed as the next Chief Justice,” he pledged.

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has set the deadline for the submission of application, nomination, and acceptance for the chief justice post on August 20. /kga

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