Peralta, Bernabe accept CJ nominations
Reyes also in contention
Justice Carpio declines inclusion as he is retiring soon
Associate Justices Diosdado M. Peralta and Estela M. Perlas Bernabe yesterday morning accepted their automatic nominations for the post of Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice that would be left vacant on 18 October with the compulsory retirement of CJ Lucas P. Bersamin.
Peralta and Bernabe are the third and fourth senior justices in the 15-member SC. Today is the deadline for the application and nomination, and acceptance of nominations for the CJ post.
SC Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr. has joined those vying for the CJ post, according to the Judical and Bar Council (JBC).
The 68-year-old Justice Reyes will have until September 2020 to serve as chief magistrate if he gets appointed to the position.
Earlier, Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio and Associate Justice Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen declined their automatic nominations.
Carpio, the No. 2 in the hierarchy, said: “I am declining because there are only eight days left from the vacancy to my compulsory retirement.” He retires on 26 October.
In declining his nomination, Leonen, the fifth in seniority, said: “For now, in my considered judgment, my decision is the right thing to do for myself, this Court and this country.”
“I will be able to do what I do best for our people in my current position at this time,” he added.
The five most senior justices get automatic nomination for CJ.
Reyes was appointed to the SC post by President Duterte on 9 August, 2018. He served as a trial court judge for 16 years prior to his appointment as an appellate court justice in 2003.
The JBC — the constitutional office that accepts, screens, and nominates appointments to the judiciary — has yet to meet to decide on its official nominees whose names will be submitted to the President.
Under the rules of the JBC, the council has to name at least three nominees to each vacant post in the judiciary.
President Rodrigo Duterte has 90 days from October 18 within which to appoint a new CJ.
Carpio will serve as acting Chief Justice starting 18 October until his compulsory retirement on 26 October.
Associate Justice Peralta will assume the post of acting Chief Justice if the President fails to appoint a CJ within the period prescribed under the Constitution.
In the case of Reyes, he was nominated by retired SC Associate Justice Jose P. Perez and former Court of Appeals Associate Justice Sesinando Villon.
Peralta and Bernabe will compulsory retire on 27 March 2022 and on May 14, 2022, respectively. Reyes’ compulsory retirement is on 11 May 2020.
Two Chief Justices had been appointed by the President. Aside from Bersamin, also appointed by the President was retired Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro.
Leonen also shuns inclusion, saying he can serve best in his present post.