MANILA — Five senior magistrates of the Supreme Court have entered the race to succeed Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who is set to step down upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 on November 6.
The contenders vying for the judiciary’s top post are Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen alongside Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Rodil Zalameda, Japar B. Dimaampao, and Jose Midas Marquez.
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has scheduled public interviews for the candidates beginning Thursday, October 22. Leonen and Caguioa are slated for interviews on October 22 at the Supreme Court session hall, while Zalameda, Dimaampao, and Marquez will face the panel on Monday, October 26.
As part of the selection process, the JBC announced that the public may submit formal objections:
“The public may submit a sworn complaint, report, or opposition against any of the candidates through mail to the JBC, 2nd floor of SC-CA building on Maria Orosa Street, Ermita, Manila, Padre Faura Street or personal submission in three legible copies, or by electronic mail to jbc@judiciary.gov.ph not later than 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2026.”
The five nominees boast extensive tenure on the high tribunal, having been appointed between 2012 and 2021. Under Section 7, Article VII of the Philippine Constitution, candidates for the Chief Justice position must be natural-born citizens, at least 40 years old, possess proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence, and have practiced law or served as a lower court judge for a minimum of 15 years.
The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen applicants and compile a shortlist of at least three nominees for submission to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who will make the final appointment.
Meanwhile, the council recently concluded interviews for 19 applicants competing for an upcoming vacancy in the Supreme Court associate justice post, which will open on November 16 due to the retirement of Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier. This extensive list features high-ranking officials including Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Fernanda Lampas Peralta, Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, and Solicitor General Darlene Marie Berberabe.
Outgoing Chief Justice Gesmundo leaves behind a notable legacy since his appointment as associate justice in 2017 and promotion to Chief Justice in 2021. Among his landmark initiatives is the five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) launched in 2022 to modernize judicial operations and expedite the delivery of justice.
His leadership has earned him multiple honorary doctorates and international recognitions, including the 2023 Chief Justice Richard W. Holmes Award of Merit from the American Judges Association.