PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will announce this week the successor to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who is set to retire on Friday, Malacañang said on Wednesday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said all of the contenders for the top judiciary position “have their own strengths and their own integrity.”
“Don’t worry, the next chief justice will be announced this week. We will not preempt our president.” The Judicial and Bar Council shortlisted five Supreme Court associate justices to succeed Gesmundo. They are Marvic Leonen, Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Rodil Zalameda, Japar Dimaampao and Jose Midas Marquez.
In a letter to the president dated Oct. 14, former Chief Justice Reynato Puno endorsed Associate Justice Jose Midas Marquez for the top post in the judiciary.
Puno said Marquez’s extensive administrative background, familiarity with the Supreme Court’s internal operations and experience coordinating with other branches of government make him a strong candidate to lead the judiciary.
Puno, who served as chief justice from December 2006 to 2010, said he had personally witnessed Marquez’s work ethic and professional competence during his 17 years at the Supreme Court.
When Puno assumed the chief justice post in December 2006, Marquez served as his chief of staff while concurrently holding key positions as assistant court administrator, head of the Public Information Office and Supreme Court spokesman.
Puno said Marquez performed these responsibilities with consistent excellence.
Marquez has served the Supreme Court for 30 years, including about 12 years as court administrator before becoming an associate justice five years ago.
”More than any aspirant, Justice Marquez is most familiar with how the Supreme Court works, especially its internal processes,” he added.
Beyond his experience within the judiciary, Puno highlighted Marquez’s exposure to inter-branch relations through assignments that required him to coordinate with officials of the executive and legislative departments.
