JBC endorses 3 aspirants for SC chief

MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has endorsed to Malacañang three out of four aspirants from the Supreme Court to succeed Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin who will retire on Friday.

Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta and Estela Perlas-Bernabe got the nod of all seven JBC members while Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. got the vote of only four members.

Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr. did not muster enough votes from the JBC to make the shortlist.

Peralta and Bernabe are the second and third most senior magistrates, respectively on the 15-member court after Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.