Search for next chief justice starts September 29

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 1:40 p.m.) — The Judicial and Bar Council will open the application process for chief justice on Saturday, September 29.

Chief Justice Teresita De Castro, who took her oath of office on August 28, is due to retire on October 8.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, a member of the council by virtue of his position, said that the notice for the chief justice post will be published on September 29, but the JBC will start accepting applications on Monday, October 1.

"Deadline for submission of requirements on October 15," also told reporters Friday.

When she retires, De Castro would have been chief justice for less than 2 months, one of the shortest stints as top judge. She replaced Maria Lourdes Sereno, whose appointment as chief justice was voided in May when the court voted in favor of a government petition questioning it.

The five most senior justices receive automatic nominations to the post. They are Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano Del Castillo and Estela Perlas-Bernabe.

Each justice needs to confirm their nomination to be considered applicants for the post. 

Those vying for the post will undergo a public interview before the JBC panel.

Peralta and Bersamin had also applied for the chief justice position after the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno. Their JBC interviews are deemed valid for a year. — Kristine Joy Patag

(Editor's note: The story has been updated to reflect Justice Secretary Guevarra's clarification that the JBC will start accepting applications on Monday, October 1.)