00:00All five Supreme Court Associate Justices aspiring to become the country's next Chief Justice
00:05make it to the Judicial and Bar Council's shortlist.
00:08This is confirmed by SE spokesperson Camille Tang to Rappler.
00:11This means the following are eligible to be chosen as the country's 28th Chief Justice
00:16to succeed Alexander Jezmundo who is retiring on November 6.
00:20They are Senior Associate Justice Marvick Leonen, Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguiwa,
00:25Rodil Zalameda, Japar Di Maampao, and Jose Maidas Marquez.
00:29The Judiciary is a co-equal and independent branch of the government,
00:33but under the rules, it's the President who appoints people to the Judiciary.
00:37President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will pick his appointee from this shortlist provided by the JBC.
00:42Marcos is until February 2027, or 90 days, to pick the next Chief Magistrate.
00:48Leonen will serve as Acting Chief Justice once Jezmundo retires.
00:52After screening applicants, the JBC held the public interviews for the five qualified
00:56candidates on October 22 and 26, with deliberations held afterwards.
