MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has already come up with the nominees for the highest position in the judiciary.
After deliberation, out of four aspirants, three names have been submitted for President Rodrigo Duterte and they are Supreme Court Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, and Andres Reyes Jr.
All the seven-member JBC voted for Peralta and Bernabe, while four members voted for Reyes.
The Chief Justice post will become vacant with the mandatory retirement of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin on Oct. 18.
With Bersamin’s retirement, Peralta will be the second most senior magistrate followed by Bernabe, while Reyes will be the sixth most senior.
Duterte has 90 days from vacancy to make his choice.
The JBC is constitutionally mandated to vet aspirants to the judiciary and top Ombudsman post. /je
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