For retired CJ Peralta, no regrets

MANILA, Philippines — Retired Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta bid farewell and thanked the judiciary as he officially hangs up his magistrate’s robe today, a year earlier than his mandatory retirement age. In a statement yesterday, his last working day at the Supreme Court, Peralta said he did not regret leaving the SC as he emphasized that he did everything he could for the law, for the courts and for the nation in accordance with the Constitution.

“My prayer now is for this pandemic to end and that the Almighty God protect and keep us all safe and healthy. May we all continue to be blessed and be in the mantle of His protection as we struggle daily to survive and live COVID-free,” Peralta said.

“Again, my profuse gratitude to everyone who shared their time to join me in the hybrid retirement ceremonies held in my honor and conducted in-person and online. I am forever grateful to all of you,” he added.

Peralta said that he appreciates all the congratulatory messages he received.

In another development, SC spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka told reporters in a Viber message yesterday that Associate Justice Edgardo delos Santos is considering early retirement for health reasons.

“Due to health reasons he is considering the possibility of retiring ahead of his 70th birthday on 12 June 2022,” Hosaka said.

Hosaka said Delos Santos informed his staff last March 19 “to start looking for other employment knowing the difficulty of finding a job during this pandemic.”

While Delos Santos has yet to officially tender his application for early retirement, Hosaka said he will remain an incumbent member of the SC until a specific date of retirement is accepted and acted upon by the court.