MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is scheduled to meet on Thursday, October 29, to deliberate and finalize its shortlist of nominees for the country’s next top magistrate.
The upcoming deliberation comes as Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo prepares to step down upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 on November 6.
The shortlist will be drawn from a pool of five prominent contenders currently serving in the High Tribunal: Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen and Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Rodil V. Zalameda, Japar B. Dimaampao, and Jose Midas P. Marquez.
These aspirants completed their public interviews before the JBC panel on October 22 and 26.
As mandated by the Constitution, the JBC is tasked with submitting a minimum of three nominees to President Marcos for the final appointment. Alongside the Chief Justice vacancy, authorities have yet to confirm whether Thursday’s deliberations will also tackle applicants vying for the Supreme Court associate justice position that will be vacated by Associate Justice Amy Lazaro Javier on November 16.
Under Section 7, Article VII of the Constitution, candidates for the Supreme Court must be natural-born Filipino citizens, at least 40 years old, and possess a minimum of 15 years of experience as a lower court judge or legal practitioner in the country.
Furthermore, candidates are required to demonstrate proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.