All SC justices now nominated for tribunal’s top post

The Supreme Court building in Manila. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—All justices of the Supreme Court are now nominated to the Chief Justice post.

Based on the updated list of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), Supreme Court Associate Justices Lucas Bersamin, Mariano Del Castillo, Jose Mendoza, Bienvenido Reyes and Martin Villarama have been included in the list of nominees.

However, Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe already declined the nomination.

Also nominated for the Chief Justice post are Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Andres Reyes and Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Francisco Villaruz.

This is the first time that all justices of the Supreme Court have been nominated to the top judicial post.

The JBC is still accepting applicants up to July 2.

Aside from Bernabe, Integrated Bar of the Philippines President Roan Libarios, Prosecutor Marianito Sasondoncillo, former Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and two others who requested the JBC not to reveal their names also declined their nomination. Dean Rodolfo Robles, on the other hand, withdrew his acceptance of nomination.