Leni endorses Leonen as next chief justice

MANILA, Philippines — Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo has formally endorsed Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen to be the next chief justice.

“Leonen is the most senior among all the justices of the (Supreme) Court. He has proven to be way beyond the constitutional requirements of competence, independence, probity and integrity,” Robredo said in a letter to President Marcos on Sept. 11.

She commended Leonen for his “clear writings that provided wisdom and depth in all legal fields,” as well as for  having one of the lowest dockets in the Court.

Robredo said Leonen has a “unique ability to solve the most difficult conflicts” including the creation of a framework agreement between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Leonen has been “invited” to apply as chief justice by the Judicial and Bar Council chaired by Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who retires on Nov. 6. Robredo’s letter was also addressed to the JBC.

Appointed to the SC by the late president Benigno Aquino III, Leonen drew flak as the author of the SC ruling that invalidated the first impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, in which he incorrectly cited a news report.