Justice Secretary Alberto Agra said the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) may make a consensus if it would start the selection process for the vacancy for the position of associate justice in the Supreme Court (SC) that would be vacant with the imminent appointment of the next chief justice.

Aside from matter involving the nomination process for the successor of Chief Justice Reynato Puno who will retire on May 17, Agra said the imminent vacancy for the position of 15th member of the Supreme Court would be one of the issues to be discussed when they convene on April 5 in Baguio City.

“With the imminent appointment of the chief justice, the position for 15th member of the SC (associate justice) would be vacant. The JBC will most likely tackle if we can start the selection process as well for the position of the associate justice,” Agra said.

Agra, who is a member of the JBC, revealed that they have not set a timeline for the deliberation but assured they will submit the shortlist on or before May 17.