JBC to grill contenders for chief justice on Friday

MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will interview the three applicants for chief justice on March 12.

Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, the only female candidate for chief magistrate, will be the first to be grilled by the JBC followed by Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo and Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando.

One of them will be chosen to replace Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, who is retiring on March 27.

Those who may have any valid reason why any of the three candidates should not become the next chief justice should inform the JBC.

“The public may submit a sworn complaint or opposition against any of the candidates by personal delivery or by e-mail in 10 eligible copies to the JBC,” SC clerk of court and JBC ex-officio secretary Edgar Aricheta said.

The complaint should be sent to the JBC office along Padre Faura street in Manila or by e-mail at [email protected] and [email protected] not later than March 15.

Peralta was supposed to retire on March 27 next year when he turns 70, the mandatory retirement age for justices.

Last December, Peralta informed his fellow SC justices that he would retire a year early.

Two others candidates for chief justice, Associate Justices Marvic Leonen and Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, failed to complete their application requirements.