The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has invited five senior Supreme Court (SC) associate justices to apply as preferred candidates for the upcoming vacancy of the Chief Justice.

The five associate justices identified by the JBC are Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, Associate Justices Benjamin S. Caguioa, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting and Rodil V. Zalameda.

The JBC clarified that being listed as a preferred candidate serves as an invitation to apply and does not mean the justices have been formally nominated yet.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 on 6 November 2026.

According to SC spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting, of the five, Leonen and Caguioa were appointed by Aquino, while Hernando, Inting, and Zalameda were named to the high court by Duterte.

The JBC’s designation of the five as “preferred candidates,” said Ting, should not be taken to mean that they have already been formally nominated for the position.

“To be accurate, the JBC referred to them as preferred candidates and invited them to apply,” Ting said.

The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen applicants and nominees and submit a shortlist to the President for judicial vacancies.

It began accepting applications and nominations on 29 August for the post of Chief Justice, which Alexander G. Gesmundo will vacate when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 on 6 November 2026.

Interested applicants and nominators have until 4:30 p.m. on 13 October 2026 to submit requirements.

Submissions and guidelines are available through the JBC Online.