JBC names De Castro, Peralta and Bersamin in shortlist to be Chief Justice

August 24, 2018

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Friday submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte a shortlist of three senior associate justices of the Supreme Court as the next Chief Justice.

The seven-member council chaired by Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio approved a shortlist of nominees composed of Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Diosdado Peralta and Lucas Bersamin.

De Castro, Peralta and Bersamin are among the seven associate justices of the Supreme Court who have been filed impeachment complaints by congressmen on Thursday.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, an ex-officio member of the council, revealed that De Castro and Peralta got six votes each, while Bersamin received five votes.

The JBC approved the shortlist and sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for his consideration in choosing the successor of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was ousted in May.

“The Judicial and Bar Council, in its session [Friday], submitted the following names (referring to De Castro, Peralta and Bersamin) to the President for his consideration in filling the vacancy in the Office of the Chief Justice,” the JBC said, in a statement released by the SC Public Information Office. DMS