The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has deleted the required remaining years of service to the Supreme Court (SC) by applicants if appointed to the post of associate justice or chief justice in a move to encourage more aspirants.

Deleted was the provision that required an applicant to have at least two-and-a-half years of remaining service if appointed as an associate justice or chief justice of the SC.

The two-and-a-half years remaining service was earlier required for applicants who are associate justice or presiding justice of an appellate court, court administrator, chairperson of a constitutional commission, solicitor general or a department secretary.

Also deleted was the required five years of remaining service to the SC if an applicant is not an associate justice or presiding justice of an appellate court, court administrator, chairperson of a constitutional commission, solicitor general or a department secretary.

The JBC is a constitutional body that accepts, screens, and nominates appointments to the Judiciary, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Legal Education Board.

Members of the judiciary – from the SC to the lowest trial court – compulsory retire at age 70.

In Resolution No. JBC 01-2025 issued last March 26 and declared immediately executory, the JBC deleted the provisions of Rule 8, Section 1 of JBC No. 2020-01 which state:

“In the selection of nominees for a vacancy in the Supreme Court, the Council must consider their age with a view to discourage the appointment of those who would not be able to serve it for a reasonably sufficient time.

“For the position of Associate Justice or Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Council shall consider applicants only if they – shall have at least two and one-half years remaining to serve as Associate Justice or Chief Justice of the Supreme Court if they have served as Associate Justice or Presiding Justice of an appellate court, Court Administrator, Chairperson of a Constitutional Commission, Solicitor General, or Department Secretary.

“Provided that this requirement shall not apply to incumbent justices of the Supreme Court applying for the position of Chief Justice.

“Have at least five years remaining to serve as an Associate Justice or Chief Justice of the Supreme Court if they had not served in any of the positions in the immediately preceding paragraph or if they are private practitioners.

“Applicants who are Division Chairpersons of the appellate court shall be given preference to foster careerism in the Judiciary.

“The respective periods shall be reckoned from the expiration of the ninety-day period for the President to appoint an Associate Justice or a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court up to the date of the compulsory retirement of the applicants.”

The JBC said “the deletion of said portions of Rule 8, Section 1 of JBC No. 2020-01 is meant to widen the base of candidates and encourage more applicants to apply for the position of Associate Justice or Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.”

There will be a vacancy in the SC with the compulsory retirement of Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez on June 4, 2025. 

Incumbent Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo’s term ends on Nov. 6, 2026.

Application to the post that would be vacated by Justice Lopez has been extended until April 14.

Applicants are asked to visit the official JBC website – www.jbc.judiciary.gov.ph – for complete details and guidelines on application.