By January 8, the Philippines will hit the high spots in its judicial history, which began in 1901, with the appointment of the country’s new chief justice who will take over from Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, who retired on October 10 after reaching age 70.
Under the law, a vacancy in the high court should be filled within 90 days, which means incumbent President Rodrigo Duterte has until January 8 to name De Castro’s successor.
Following a closed-door interview of the five nominees, the Judicial and Bar Council submitted on Friday to President Duterte, the appointing authority under the law, the shortlist of nominees for the most coveted judicial post, desiderated by lawyers since Cayetano Arellano who began his term on June 11, 1901.
Arellano, appointed to the post by US President William McKinley, holds the record of having served the longest—18 years and 306 days—while Pedro Yap, appointed by Corazon Aquino, held the shortest—72 days.
We know the President, in his best lights and following an assessment by him of the credentials of those listed, will be well-advised and sagacious in choosing the 25th Chief Justice, the head of one of the government’s three co-equal and coordinate branches.
The credentials, expertise and stand of each of the five in the list on paramount issues will be properly placed under the appointing authority’s presidential microscope—an appetent look at each nominee’s experience as a member of the bar or bench for at least 15 years, the person’s proven competence, integrity, probity and independence.
The Chief Justice will preside over the highest court, composed of 15 including the highest magistrate, and has, under the Constitution “administrative supervision over all courts and the personnel thereof.”
As the Judicial and Bar Council said Friday: Submitted.