Drilon to chief justice nomination: No, thank you

Senator Franklin Drilon. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Franklin Drilon on Thursday said that he has no intention of accepting his nomination for the chief justice post, saying “it’s more fun in the Senate.”

During the weekly Kapihan sa Senado media forum, Drilon said that while he welcomes the nomination he said he would rather finish his term as senator.

“Seriously speaking, I am humbled and honored by the nomination. Every lawyer dreams to be a justice of the Supreme Court and Chief Justice,” Drilon said.

“I thank those who nominated me but I will finish my term in the Senate,” he said adding that he doesn’t even know who nominated him.

He added that he owes it to the 15.8 million Filipinos who voted for him in the 2010 elections to finish the mandate given to him.

Drilon said that by the time he finishes his term in 2016, he will be 71 years old and therefore no longer eligible for the chief justice post.

Meanwhile, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who was also nominated, has also reportedly declined the nomination, saying she prefers to take the International Criminal Court post.