Peralta: All 5 most senior SC justices qualified to become next chief justice

Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said Friday the five most senior magistrates of the Supreme Court (SC) are qualified to succeed him after his retirement next month.

The senior magistrates in terms of appointment are Justices Estela Perlas Bernabe, Marvic Leonen, Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Alexander Gesmundo and Ramon Paul Hernando.

“I’ve worked with them for so many years and I believe that all of them are qualified; otherwise they should not have been there for a long, long time,” Peralta told reporters in Tarlac City.

“They have already gained the experience needed to lead the judiciary.”

Peralta also said the screening body Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) discussed on Thursday the proposal of the SC to exempt the five most senior justices from mandatory public interview and submission of clearances, medical examination results and documentary requirements.

He declined to disclose other details of the meeting.

“That will be announced later,” he said.

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

“I think I did my best and I hope that whoever will replace me will continue with the programs that I have started and will introduce other innovations so that there will be better access to the courts,” he said.

The JBC earlier extended until February 26 the submission of applications for chief justice. — RSJ, GMA News