Manila:Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo is set to retire upon reaching the mandatory age of 70 on November 6, marking the end of his nearly decade-long service at the Supreme Court, including five years as the first among equals. The upcoming vacancy has prompted a selection process that will see President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appoint a new chief justice, his first time making such a decision.

According to Philippines News agency, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has submitted a shortlist of five candidates to the President. This includes Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen and Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Rodil Zalameda, Japar Dimaampao, and Jose Midas Marquez. Two other senior magistrates, Associate Justices Henri Jean Paul Inting and Ramon Paul Hernando, withdrew their nominations.

The candidates have diverse educational backgrounds, with Caguioa, Zalameda, and Marquez having studied at the Ateneo de Manila Law School. Leonen and Dimaampao earned their degrees from the University of the Philippines and the University of the East, respectively. Each candidate brings a unique set of experiences and qualifications to the table.

Leonen, appointed by the late President Benigno Aquino III in 2012, is known for his role in digitalizing the court system and his key rulings on national budgets. Marquez, the youngest at 60, has extensive experience as a court administrator and court spokesperson. Zalameda, a product of the public school system, was appointed to the high court by former President Rodrigo Duterte. Dimaampao, hailing from Marawi City, is a certified public accountant and an expert in commercial laws. Caguioa, the oldest at 67, has a notable record of defending human rights during the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

The selection of the new chief justice is closely watched, as it will shape the future direction of the Philippine judiciary.