Peace negotiator Leonen accepts nomination for SC associate justice

Marvic Leonen. PHOTO BY LYN RILLON

MANILA, Philippines—Government’s chief peace negotiator Marvic Leonen has accepted his nomination for Supreme Court Associate Justice, the post vacated by Maria Lourdes Sereno after she was appointed Chief Justice.

Leonen, in a text message, said he already submitted his conformity to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) attached to the nomination submitted by Dr. Emerlinda Roman.

Aside from Roman, Leonen was also nominated by lawyer Pablito Sanidad.

Leonen was previously nominated for the Chief Justice post but he declined.

With Leonen’s conformity, there are now 10 names vying for the position.

Besides Leonen, the others are Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Andres Reyes, junior Court of Appeals Associate Justice Ramon Bato, Securities and Exchange Commission Teresita Herbosa, Court of Appeals Associate Justices Noel Tijam, Magdangal De Leon and Isaias Dicdican, former Ateneo Law Dean Cesar Villanueva, Dela Salle Law Dean Jose Manuel Diokno and Adoracion Avisado, executive director of Transformative Justice Institute.