BY REGINA BENGCO

CHIEF presidential legal counsel Sergio Apostol yesterday advised the three Sandiganbayan justices who convicted former President Joseph Estrada of plunder Tuesday to decline any nomination to the Supreme Court so as not to put President Arroyo in a difficult situation.

The names of the three, Justices Teresita de Castro, Francisco Villaruz and Diosdado Peralta, have been included in the list submitted by the Bar and Judicial Council for the President’s consideration for appointment to the tribunal.

"Para hindi na maipit ang Presidente, they should withdraw their nomination. Parang iyong nangyari kay Justice (Gregory) Ong," he said.

Arroyo appointed Ong last May 16 to fill up the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Romeo Callejo.

The SC however rejected Ong’s appointment over the issue of his citizenship. Ong declined the nomination and the President instead appointed Court of Appeals presiding justice Ruben Reyes.

Apostol said De Castro’s promotion is "long overdue" and that she is "more than qualified."

"It’s a sacrifice on her part... Hindi niya maiwanan (ang posisyon) because of the case of Erap," he said.

Senate majority leader Francis Pangilinan on Thursday said the three justices should, out of delicadeza, decline any nomination to the high court to erase suspicion that they are expecting a "reward for a job well done."