MANILA (2nd UPDATE) - Retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin is the new chairperson of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Malacañang confirmed Friday.

President Rodrigo Duterte designated Bersamin as a member of the GSIS Board of Trustees on Feb. 6, appointment papers released by Malacañang showed.

The President subsequently approved the nomination of the former top magistrate as chairman of the government-owned insurance system.

Malacañang expressed confidence in Bersamin’s capabilities to lead the GSIS, saying he had a “sterling record of public service.”

“We are confident that Mr. Bersamin would serve the GSIS with the same dedication and integrity he demonstrated in his many years of government service,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Bersamin already took his oath last week, according to Duterte’s former aide, Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go.

"Naka-oath(taking) na siya, last week pa. Siya na magiging chair," Go told ABS-CBN News.

Bersamin will replace Rolando Ledesma Macasaet, who held the post since June 2018.

The former chief justice acquired his law degree from the University of the East in 1973 and placed 9th in the bar exams thereafter. He retired from the judiciary in Oct. 2019.