Manila, Nov. 3 -- Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo will hang up his robe upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 on Nov. 6.

He served in the Supreme Court (SC) for nearly a decade, including five years as the primus inter pares (first among equals) among the "gods of Padre Faura," which is how the justices at Manila's high court are called.

Under the Constitution, the President must appoint a new chief justice within 90 days from the occurrence of the vacancy.

The shortlist of five names screened by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) was transmitted to Malacanang last week - Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, and Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Rodil Zalameda, Japar Dimaampao and Jose Midas Marquez.

This wil...