Ingles turns down nomination for CJ

CEBU, Philippines - Associate Justice Gabriel Ingles of the Court of Appeals in Cebu City formally declined his nomination to be the next Chief Justice.

Ingles sent a letter to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) JBC through its executive officer lawyer Annaliza S. Ty Capacite to turn down his nomination.

“I have read in a newspaper that I have been nominated by Atty. Marcelo Bacalso for the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. While I am flattered and thankful for the nomination, I am declining the same,” Ingles said.

He cited two reasons for not accepting the nomination.

One is the fact that there were more nominees qualified for the position

“Secondly, I strongly feel it is improper for me and unfair to the institution to show even a little interest for said position after having openly, in interviews, expressed my view in favor of the impeachment,” he said.

Aside from Ingles, five recommendees have also declined to be the next chief magistrate including presidential cousin and former presidential aspirant Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. The others are Roan I. Libarios, Raphael P. Lotilla, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Marianito S. Sasondoncillo.

As of Wednesday, there are 12 nominees who have confirmed their recommendations for the position of Chief Justice namely; Arturo D. Brion, Roberto A. Abad, Soledad M. Cagampang-De Castro, Jose Manuel I. Diokno, Maria Carolina Katrina T. Legarda, Rafael A. Morales, Raul C. Pangalangan, Rene V. Sarmiento, Manuel DJ. Siyangco Jr., Vicente R. Velasquez, Cesar Villanueva and Ronaldo B. Zamora.

The nominees who are yet to accept their recommendations are Antonio T. Carpio, Teresita J. Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado M. Peralta, Presbitero J. Velasco Jr., Rey Oliver S. Alejandrino, Nepomuceno P. Aparis, Helarion Aquino, Pedro Aquino, Andres D. Bautista, Lucas P. Bersamin, Frank I. Chavez, Magdangal De Leon, Leila M. De Lima, Teresita J. Herbosa, Kim S. Jacinto-Henares, Francis H. Jardeleza, Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen, Teodoro L. Locsin Jr., Ramon M. Maronilla, Jose C. Mendoza, Alexander A. Padilla, Jose P. Perez, Andres Reyes, Bienvenido L. Reyes, Rodolfo D. Robles, Rene A. Saguisag, Maria Lourdes P. Sereno, Jose Renante R. Terre Jr., Amalia Tria-Infante, Amado D. Valdez, Martin S. Villarama Jr., Antonio P. Villamor and Francisco Villaruz.

Applicants for the position are Jocelyn C. Esquivel and Florentino V. Floro.

To be considered candidate for Chief Justice, a nominee must manifest his acceptance or conformity of the recommendation before July 2, 2012. — /MBG (FREEMAN)