Castro denies she is headed to Supreme Court as associate justice
Palace spokespersonClaire Castro arrives for the 5th State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the House of Representatives in Quezon City on July 27, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News MANILA — Palace Press Officer Claire Castro denied rumors she was headed to the Supreme Court as associate justice.
Marcos is set to appoint new officials in the judiciary, following the impending retirement of Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo.
“Associate Justice ng Supreme Court? si Auntie Claire? Hindi ako nag-apply. So wala pong katotohanan iyan,” Castro said in a briefing in Cagayan de Oro City.
Castro’s name was floated by several social media users and news outlets as one of the possible appointees to the Supreme Court.
The Palace official also denied rumors that Supreme Court Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda was the top contender for chief justice.
“Kung sino man ang mapipili ng Pangulo bilang susunod na Chief Justice ng Supreme Court, ayaw po natin pangunahan kung sino man mapipili ng Pangulo,” she said.
“At asahan natin na ang pipiliin ng Pangulo ay, lahat naman sila ay magaling, pero siyempre merong namumukod tangi,” Castro added.
Gesmundo is scheduled to step down on November 6, when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Leonen to serve as OIC when Gesmundo retires as chief justice