MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday honored outgoing Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, recognizing his public service and contributions to the country’s justice system.
Marcos conferred the Order of Lakandula with the Rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) on Gesmundo during an intimate ceremony at Malacañang attended by judiciary officials and family members.
Gesmundo is set to retire upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 on Nov. 6, after serving as chief justice for five years.
Under the Constitution, Marcos has 90 days from Gesmundo’s retirement to appoint his successor. The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has shortlisted Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Rodil Zalameda, Japar Dimaampao and Jose Midas Marquez for the position.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President is expected to name the next chief justice within the week.
“Ang lahat naman ng kanditato para maging chief justice ng Supreme Court may kaniya-kaniyang kagalingan, kaniya-kaniyang integridad, at ia-announce naman ‘yung susunod na chief justice this week. Hindi na natin pangungunahan ang ating Pangulo (All the candidates for chief justice of the Supreme Court have their own strengths and integrity. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will announce his choice for the next chief justice this week. We will leave the announcement to the President),” Castro said in a Palace briefing. (Darryl John Esguerra/PNA)
