Carpio: I’m ready to lead Supreme Court

Justice Antonio Carpio. Photo by Lyn Rillon

MANILA, Philippines—Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Friday that he was ready to lead the judiciary if given the opportunity.

“I will not turn down any opportunity to lead the judiciary,” said Carpio, who, being one of the five most senior justices of the Supreme Court, is automatically nominated for the top judicial post.

He said he would submit his letter of acceptance to the Judicial and Bar Council, which screens nominees, on Monday.

Carpio is the second of the five most senior justices— Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo De Castro, Arturo Brion and Diosdado Peralta—to have accepted the nomination. Brion has accepted his nomination.

Carpio has been the acting Chief Justice since Renato Corona was removed from his post on May 29.