SC magistrates Bernabe, Gesmundo, Hernando vie for chief justice post

Three Supreme Court (SC) magistrates are eyeing to succeed Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta who will retire later this month.

SC spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka said Monday that only Justices Estela Perlas Bernabe, Alexander Gesmundo and Ramon Paul Hernando completed the requirements for the application in compliance with the February 26 deadline set by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

The public interview of the applicants will take place on March 10.

Peralta will leave the judiciary on his 69th birthday on March 27, one year ahead of the mandatory retirement age for judges and justices.

The outgoing top magistrate said nearly two weeks ago that he wanted to return to teaching after his retirement. He also said the five most senior magistrates of the SC were qualified to succeed him.

Gesmundo and Hernando were appointed to the high court by President Rodrigo Duterte in August 2017 and October 2018, respectively.

Bernabe, the most senior justice in terms of appointment, was appointed by former President Benigno Aquino III in September 2011. — Virgil Lopez/RSJ, GMA News