Integrity and competence are the two fundamental attributes President Duterte is looking for in the next Chief Justice, Malacañang said Sunday.
The President is set to appoint a new magistrate to replace Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin who recently retired.
“Kagaya ng palaging sinasabi ni Presidente, there are only two qualifications he wants in his all appointees and that is honesty and competence,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a radio interview.
Asked if the President has picked a new Chief Justice, Panelo said: “Wala pa rin. Wala pa sinasabi si Presidente.”
The Judicial and Bar Council had earlier nominated three Associate Justices to the top SC post. Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta and Estela Perlas Bernabe got unanimous votes from the seven-member JBC while Andres Reyes Jr. obtained four votes.
The JBC list of nominees has been submitted to the President for his decision. Under the Constitution, the President has 90 days from Oct. 18 to appoint Bersamin’s replacement. (Genalyn Kabiling)
