Associate Justice Antonio Carpio’s stand on the longstanding maritime dispute between the Philippines and China will not affect his bid for the vacant Chief Justice position, Malacañang said Monday. And yet the President appointed him, he became a member of the Cabinet,” Panelo said. Carpio, being the most senior Supreme Court justice, is considered to be the frontrunner for the top magistrate post. Others in the shortlist for the Chief Justice position were fellow Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, and Andres Reyes Jr. Carpio was part of the Philippines’ legal team that argued and won the case against China before the United Nations-backed tribunal.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer November 26, 2018 08:03 UTC