Senator Franklin Drilon on Thursday said he will not accept his nomination to the vacant post of chief justice of the Supreme Court.

 

"I thank those who nominated me but I intend to finish my term in the Senate... it is more fun in the Senate," Drilon said during the weekly forum at the Senate.

 

He issued the statement after lawyer Nicasio Tan endorsed him to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) as a possible replacement for ousted Chief Justice Renato Corona.

 

Drilon said he doesn't even know Tan but that he is "humbled" by the nomination.

 

"It is every lawyer's dream even when we were in law school to be [a] justice of the Supreme Court and even a chief justice, that is [every] lawyer's dream [but] I have a mandate [to fulfill to the] Filipinos," he said.

 

He likewise said he doesn't know whether it's wise to change careers at his age. He is 67 years old.

 

"I intend to finish my term in the Senate and the by time I finish my term I will be already 71 years old. I have been in the executive and legislative branch, I do not know [whether] a change in carrer path when you are 67 is the most welcome development in your life," he said.

 

Drilon had stated after the Senate impeachment court convicted Corona that he was not interested in becoming chief justice. He voted to convict Corona.

 

Aside from Drilon, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago was also nominated to the chief justice post. She has likewise declined the nomination.

 

Santiago will soon serve as a judge in the International Criminal Court. — RSJ, GMA News