Bersamin, Peralta accept nomination for CJ post; Reyes submits application
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said that two associate justices of the Supreme Court (SC) have accepted their automatic nomination for the chief justice post.
“SC Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin has accepted his automatic nomination for the CJ post,” said Guevarra, a member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).
Later in the day, Guevarra said Justice Diosdado Peralta accepted his nomination while Justice Andres Reyes submitted his application.
The JBC is tasked under the Constitution to screen applicants for posts in the judiciary.
Bersamin accepted his nomination before the July 26 deadline when all applicants and nominees for the chief justice post should have completed and submitted all of their requirements.
There are five senior magistrates who are automatically nominated for the vacant post.
They are Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio and Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Peralta and Bersamin.
However, Carpio formally declined his nomination.
Guevarra said the JBC is set to meet on August 3 to discuss the nominations for chief justice post which became vacant following the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno.
The JBC has three ex officio members currently comprised of Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio who is the ex office chairperson, Guevarra, and Sen. Richard Godon.
The JBC’s regular members are currently composed of retired SC Associate Justice Jose Mendoza who sits as executive committee chairperson and represents the retired SC justices; lawyer Maria Milagros Fernan-Cayosa, representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP); lawyer Jose Mejia who represents the academe; and lawyer Toribio Ilao Jr. for the private sector.
Last May 11, the SC en banc voted 8-6 to grant the quo warrant petition of Solicitor General Jose Calida to void the 2012 appointment of Sereno for failing to submit her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) which was one of the requirements set by the JBC.