SUPREME Court Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta is going back to teaching after his retirement next month, which he described as a profession that “holds a special place in my heart.”

“I am planning to return to the teaching profession… The value of education has always been inculcated in me,” Mr. Peralta said in his acceptance speech during his conferment for the Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa degree from the Tarlac State University on Friday.

The chief justice was a professor and a Bar reviewer before he was appointed to the Supreme Cour top post t in October 2019.

His optional retirement, a year earlier than the mandatory age, was approved on January 5 and will take effect on March 27 this year.

“I will retire without regrets, knowing that I did all that I could for the law, for the courts, and for the nation,” Mr. Peralta said.

Mr. Peralta, however, said he is not yet prepared to reveal the reason for his early retirement.

He also said he believes the five most senior justices are all qualified for the chief justice position, and hopes that “whoever will replace me will continue with the programs that I have started and introduce other innovation(s) so that there will be better access to the courts.”

Applications for the Chief Justice position are open until February 26, 2021. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

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