Former Vice President and incumbent Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo has formally nominated and endorsed Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen to succeed Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, who is set to retire in November.
Robredo made the endorsement in a letter dated September 11, 2026, addressed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with copies furnished to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) and the Office of the Chief Justice. The JBC and Gesmundo’s office received the letter on September 23.
In her letter, Robredo cited Leonen’s seniority, judicial experience, public interest law background, and leadership in the judiciary.
“Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen is the most senior among all the justices of the Court. He has proven to be way beyond the constitutional requirements of competence, independence, probity, and integrity,” Robredo said.
She also said Leonen has shown “neither fear nor favor” in his work and highlighted his contributions to social justice, human rights, and institutional integrity.
“On a personal note, I have witnessed his efforts not only to ensure the proper interpretation of our Constitution and our laws, but also his efforts to ensure social justice, human rights, and institutional integrity,” she said.
Robredo also pointed to Leonen’s leadership in the judiciary’s digitalization efforts, including eCourt PH and the guidelines on the use of human-centered augmented intelligence in the judiciary. She cited his role in the 2020–2021 Bar Examinations, where digitalized and localized testing was introduced.
Leonen joined the Supreme Court in November 2012 and currently serves as acting chief justice. He also heads the Court’s Second Division and chairs the Senate Electoral Tribunal and House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.
Gesmundo is scheduled to retire on November 6, after which Leonen is expected to serve as acting chief justice while the position remains vacant. Leonen is also among the Supreme Court justices invited by the JBC to apply for the chief justice post.
“At this juncture in our political economy, we need his leadership to inspire credibility and genuine social justice—measures we all share,” Robredo said.
