Duterte says he has picked a new Chief Justice

President Rodrigo Duterte said late Tuesday that he has chosen a new Chief Justice, but did not reveal the name.   

"I have already selected a chief justice," Duterte told reporters in Bohol where he touched base with soldiers and inaugurated the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, adding he had already signed the appointment papers of the successor of retired chief magistrate Teresita Leonardo De Castro.

Duterte refused to name his pick for the top judge post and said his spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, will be making the announcement.

The candidates for the next Chief Justice are Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Andres Reyes Jr.

Duterte had said he appointed De Castro, who only served for more than a month as successor to ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, on the basis of seniority.

In late August, he said there was no politics involved in the appointment of De Castro, adding he will apply the principle of seniority and take into consideration the merits of an applicant when filling in vacancies in government.

When asked if he applied seniority in the selection of a new top magistrate, Duterte said: "Yes sabi ko seniority, but you know binigyan ako ng lima."

Except for Reyes, the four other contenders are senior members of the high court.

Malacañang earlier said Carpio's chances of getting the top job in the judiciary will not be affected by his critical view of President Rodrigo Duterte's policy in the South China Sea. (Virgil Lopez)