The Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court presides over the Supreme Court of the Philippines and

is the highest judicial officer of the government of the Philippines. The position is currently held by Renato Corona, who was appointed Chief Justice on May 17, 2010. 1. Natural-born citizen of the Philippines; 2. at least 40 years of age; 3. a judge in a court of record for at least 15 years or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines for the same period; and 4. a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and independence. They hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of 70 years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office. They can be removed only by impeachment. Grounds for impeachment include conviction of culpable violation of the Philippine Constitution, treason, bribery, other high crimes, or graft and corruption. The Supreme Court has the following powers: 1. Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, and over petitons for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus. 2. Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm an appeal for certiorari, final judgements, and decrees of inferior courts. 3. Assign temporariky judges of inferior courts to other stations as public interest many require; 4. Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice. 5. Promulgate rules concerning pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission to practice of law, and the integratin of the Bar. 6. Exercise administrative supervision over all the courts of justice and their personnel. 7. Discipline judges of inferior courts and, by a vote of at least eight justices, order their dismissal. 8. Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary, in accordance with the Civil Service Law.