ASSOCIATE Justice Diosdado Peralta was designated as Acting Chief Justice while Associate Justice Antonio Carpio is on leave of absence.

SC spokesperson Gleoresty Guerra confirmed this in a text message on Tuesday, October 31.

According to Guerra, Peralta will serve as acting chief justice from October 31 up to November 4.

Peralta is the second most senior Associate Justice next to Carpio.

Carpio, designated as acting chief justice upon the retirement of former chief justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro last October 10, was the one who assigned Peralta as the temporary head of the judiciary pursuant to Section 12 of Republic Act 296 or the Judiciary Act of 1948.

The said law states that "in case of a vacancy in the office of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or of his inability to perform the duties and powers of his office, they shall devolve upon the Associate Justice who is first in precedence, until such disability is removed, or another Chief Justice is appointed and duly qualified. This provision shall apply to every Associate Justice who succeeds to the office of Chief Justice.”

Both Carpio and Peralta accepted their automatic nomination to the Chief Justice post.

Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe and Lucas Bersamin likewise accepted their automatic nomination. (SunStar Philippines)