Carpio unaware of Aquino interview on Chief Justice applicants

MANILA -- Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, one of the eight shortlisted applicants for the position of Chief Justice, is looking forward to be interviewed by President Benigno Aquino III, who has until Monday to pick the successor of deposed Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Carpio however was unsure if the interview will take place in light of unconfirmed reports that fellow aspirants Associate Justice Arturo Brion and former San Juan City Representative Ronaldo Zamora had met the President after Malacañang received the shortlist on August 13.

"I don't know yet (about the interview). I have not been informed," he said.

Carpio topped the voting by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC)—the body that vets nominees to all judicial posts—recently.

Those who made it to the final cut as well are SC Associate Justices Roberto Abad, Maria Lourdes Sereno and Teresita Leonardo-De Castro, Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza and former Ateneo de Manila law dean Cesar Villanueva.

Carpio took up the challenge to possibly head the judiciary, whose tattered reputation was highlighted by Corona's removal over misdeclared cash assets last May 29 and the usual problems of clogged dockets, corruption, and vacancies in judicial posts.

But during the chance interview, he decided to keep mum on his chances to be appointed permanent Chief Justice.

"Well, that is the hope of friends," he said.

Carpio, who will turn 70 in 2019, will outlive Aquino's presidential term ending in 2016 if he will be named the country's 24th top magistrate. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)