President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not meddle in the judiciary’s affairs amid the selection process for the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Malacañang said on Tuesday.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro said Marcos gave no specific instructions on which cases the next Chief Justice should tackle first.
“Walang napag-usapan, nasa kamay na po iyan ng Supreme Court, nasa kanilang priority kung anong uunahin nilang desisyunan na kaso… So, hindi po nagdidikta ang Pangulo sa mga ginagawa ng mga korte,” she said.
Although it will be the President who will choose the next Chief Justice, this will be from a shortlist to be submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council
Castro said evaluations are ongoing and there is no shortlist yet, adding that Marcos considers all applicants to be qualified and capable.
“Ayon sa Pangulo, lahat naman po na mag-a-apply bilang chief justice, lahat po sila ay magagaling, hindi po nila mararating ang ganyang estado kung hindi sila magagaling,” she said.
On November 6, 2026, Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo will step down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brion has nominated Associate Justice Midas Marquez for the post.
The JBC recommends nominees for judicial posts, with the President as the appointing authority.