By Moira Encina
Eagle New Service
The Judicial and Bar Council on Friday, Aug. 24, shortlisted three Supreme Court associate justices for the post of Chief Justice.
According to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, JBC voting member, Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-De Castro got six votes; Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta, six; and Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin, five.
Associate Justice Andres Reyes, Jr. and Davao court Judge Virginia Tejano-Ang were dropped from the shortlist.
The shortlisting of De Castro, Peralta and Bersamin came a day after Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman and several others filed impeachment complaints against them and Reyes for their vote to oust Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice.
Lagman had said the four would be disqualified from vying for the Chief Justice post following the filing of the complaints.
But Guevarra denied this, saying the “mere filing of an impeachment complaint (was) not enough to disqualify (someone) as it has not matured into an impeachment CASE.”
“An impeachment complaint becomes a case if (it is) endorsed to and acted affirmatively by the appropriate house committee,” Guevarra said.
The names of those shortlisted have been submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte, who will appoint the next Chief Justice.