JBC to interview 5 candidates for chief justice post

MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) will interview five candidates for the position of chief justice on October 22 and 26 ahead of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo's compulsory retirement.

The Supreme Court announced the schedule on Saturday, October 17.

Gesmundo will retire on November 6 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Interview schedule

Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa will be interviewed on Thursday, October 22. Leonen's interview is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon, while Caguioa will take the afternoon slot from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Associate Justices Rodil Zalameda and Japar Dimaampao will be interviewed on Monday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to noon. Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez's interview will follow from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The interviews will be held at the Supreme Court En Banc Session Hall.

Who are the candidates?

Leonen, who joined the Supreme Court in 2012, previously served as the government's chief negotiator in peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He is the court's most senior associate justice.

Caguioa was appointed to the high court in 2016 after serving as chief presidential legal counsel under former president Benigno Aquino III.

Zalameda joined the Supreme Court in 2019 after serving in the Court of Appeals. 

Dimaampao, who was appointed in 2021, is known for his expertise in Islamic law and taxation.

Marquez, also appointed in 2021, previously served as court administrator for nearly 12 years.