CHIEF Justice Reynato Puno has designated Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio as acting chief justice while he is on sabbatical leave from March 18 to 30.
Carpio, as acting chief justice, is authorized “to exercise the powers and prerogatives of and pertaining to the position of chief justice on matters that cannot wait for the chief justice, effective March 18 until the undersigned reports back to work.”
Among the functions that Carpio is expected to perform is to sit as ex-officio chair of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which is expected to deliberate on the next moves it will take following the high court’s ruling on the appointment of Puno’s successor.
Carpio will also temporarily assume the position of chairman of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal during Puno’s absence.
The SC on Wednesday upheld the authority of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to appoint the successor of Puno, who will be retiring on May 17 at the age of 70. (PIA-Bohol)
