By Vann Marlo M. Villegas
NOMINATIONS for the position of Chief Justice will start on Saturday, Sept. 29, Justice Secretary and Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) Ex Officio Member Menardo I. Guevarra said.
Mr. Guevarra said in a text message to reporters that applications will be accepted on Monday, Oct. 1, with the deadline for the nomination on Oct. 15.
Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, whom President Rodrigo R. Duterte appointed only on Aug. 25, reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 on Oct. 8.
The five most senior justices who will receive automatic nomination which they also must formally accept are Associate Justices Antonio T. Carpio, Diosdado M. Peralta, Lucas P. Bersamin, Mariano C. Del Castillo, and Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe.
On Sept. 26, the JBC held an interview for the position of SC associate justice for the position vacated by now Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires.
The deadline for the nomination for the associate justice position vacated by Ms. De Castro when she was appointed chief justice is Oct. 1.
