MANILA, Philippines—The Judicial Bar Council will close the nomination period for the position of chief justice today, July 2, 2012. Nominees also have only until today to accept or decline their nominations.

By tradition, the most senior member of the Supreme Court has the upper hand in the selection process. However, President Noynoy Aquino has said to media that an “outsider” chief justice is a distinct possibility.

[Read this Thought Leaders piece: PNoy and the outsider CJ]

The most senior justice, Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima have formally accepted their respective nominations to the said position.

[For more articles about the search for the next chief justice, check Rappler’s #SCwatch microsite.]

Now that we’re at the end of the nomination period, we at Rappler want to know what you think: do you think an “outsider” should lead the Supreme Court? What do you think are the pros and cons of choosing someone outside of the Supreme court? 

Leave a comment on Facebook or tweet us using the hashtag #SCwatch.

Here’s what our online community is saying: 

CONVERSATIONS: What are your thoughts on having an ‘outside’ Chief Justice?

Storified by Rappler · Mon, Jul 02 2012 03:23:27