MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera on Friday announced that a senior member of the Supreme Court (SC) has asked the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) to exclude his name from the list of possible nominees for Chief Justice (CJ).

"It [letter] is from Justice Presbitero Velasco, saying that his name was mentioned and that he will be one of the applicants, and in that letter, he is saying that he is not applying," Devanadera told reporters.

Devanadera said she considers Velasco's letter as a sign that he is not interested in replacing Chief Justice Reynato Puno, who will retire on May 17.

Velasco's request would reduce the number of top contenders for the post. He is one of 5 senior associate justices of the SC.

The others are Antonio Carpio, Renato Corona, Conchita Carpio-Morales, and Antonio Eduardo Nachura.

Selection process begins

The JBC on Wednesday announced that it has opened the applications for Puno's replacement.

The JBC, through its ex-officio secretary and Clerk of Court Ma. Luisa Villarama, said the council will be accepting applications and recommendations not later than February 4, 2010.

The council will also accept sworn complaints, written reports or opposition against any candidate not later than February 1, 2010.

The applications for chief justice opened after the JBC unanimously agreed on Monday to start the selection process for the top post in the judiciary.

Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor, had urged fellow JBC members to start the process of selecting nominees for Chief Justice, even if Arroyo is banned from making midnight appointments from March 10 until her term ends on noon of June 30.

In his controversial proposal, Defensor said the post is too important to be left vacant "even for a day."

The congressman said the country would need a permanent Chief Justice in case of a failure of elections.

The JBC must submit to the President a list of 3 nominees for Chief Justice. With a report from Nelson Lubao, ABS-CBN News