The Judicial and Bar Council is now accepting nominations and applications for the position of Supreme Court associate justice.
The post was vacated by Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who was promoted by President Rodrigo Duterte as the country’s 27th Chief Justice last April 5.
Gesmundo succeeded Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, who optionally retired last March 27, one year ahead of his mandatory retirement age of 70 on March 27, 2022.
In an advisory, the JBC said interested applicants have until May 10 to visit their website (jbc.judiciary.gov.ph/) and apply online through their application scheduler.
After filling up the application, they would receive a computer-generated letter of intent in their email addresses and are required to submit the complete and accurate digitized versions of their letter of intent and documentary requirements via email, sent to orsn.jbc@judiciary.gov.ph on their selected date and time of appointment in the online application scheduler.
Gesmundo took his oath of office before Acting Chief Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe last April 5.
For the first time, the oath-taking ceremony was done in hybrid style to comply with health protocols being followed during community quarantine, as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus.
In contrast to previous events when all justices attended the ceremony, only Bernabe and another senior member of the High Court, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, were the magistrates present during last Monday’s event.
The 12 other members of the Supreme Court watched the historic moment online. Even the family of Chief Justice Gesmundo was not present at the SC Session Hall where the ceremony took place.
Barring any unforeseen event, Gesmundo is expected to serve as Chief Justice until he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 on Nov. 6, 2026.
Since President Rodrigo Duterte would retire next year, Gesmundo is expected to be the fourth and last Duterte-appointed Chief Justice.