And once again, the President seems to have played his critics with his decision to appoint Teresita Leonardo-de Castro as chief justice. But given the chance to appoint a new chief justice, the President chose de Castro, a woman. Critics of the President make it appear that the appointment of Chief Justice De Castro is a political accommodation of an unqualified nominee. Chief Justice De Castro was properly vetted by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). In appointing Chief Justice de Castro, the President said that he would always go for seniority, one that Justice Antonio Carpio theoretically deserves, but did not get because he refused the nomination.

Source: Manila Times August 29, 2018 16:18 UTC