MANILA, Philippines – Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio has on Monday, October 2019, attended what could be his last flag-raising ceremony as he is all set to retire at a mandatory age of 70 this coming Saturday, 26 October 2019.

A staunch critic on the Duterte Administration’s stand on West Philippine Sea, Carpio assumed acting chief justice capacity following the retirement of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin last Friday, 19 October 2019.

Carpio may have an acting CJ capacity but his colleagues at Supreme Court unanimously voted and accorded him full honors and benefits similar to what a retired Chief Justice would enjoy.

His last flag-raising ceremony proved the most memorable for him, to his own colleagues and SC workers who honored him by wearing garments of red, white and blue colors, similar to that of the Philippine flag.

After the flag-raising, the out-going acting CJ received two plaques of recognition from colleagues and workers in honor of his unsullied, dedicated service to the nation of 18 years.

And that gave him the distinction as one of longest-serving magistrate of the Supreme Court following his assumption into office in October 2001 by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

With his 18 fruitful years of Supreme Court service, Carpio claimed he has penned full-blown decisions of around 935 cases.

On his short farewell speech, Caprio thanked his colleagues and court workers.

He also made mention he will retire from service Saturday with not a single backlog or suspended case.

In an interview with CNN, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said Carpio is “the best chief justice we never had. I agree with that more than a thousand percent.”

Leonen described Carpio as “justices’ justice,” adding “the Court becomes more stable every time he acts as acting chief justice.”

The retired Bersamin also acknowledged Carpio’s style of leadership saying he said he could not imagine a court deliberation without Carpio.

Carpio is the last magistrate to retire this year at the Supreme Court and his replacement will be PRRD’s 12th appointee to the SC. (BCuaresma/IAmigo/CNS)