MANILA — The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened applications for the position of Sandiganbayan Associate Justice and Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice.
This, after Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s appointment to the Supreme Court (SC) on August 14 and CA Associate Justice Melchor Quirino Sadang’s optional retirement approval on August 1.
Gesmundo is President Rodrigo Duterte’s fourth appointee to the high court.
Aspirants have until November 2 to file their applications and submit required documents.
“The actual receipt by the JBC of the applications and complete documentary requirements shall be deemed as the date of filing,” read the announcement posted by Clerk of Court and JBC Ex Officio Secretary Felipe Anama dated September 15, 2017.
The JBC also announced it will conduct a public interview on September 25 of applicants vying for the post of CA Presiding Justice.
The post became vacant after then CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr, was appointed by President Duterte to the SC.
JBC said five candidates, namely Romeo Barza, Marlene Gonzales-Sison, Normandie Pizarro, Remedios Salazar-Fernando, and Rowena De Juan-Quinagoran, vying for the vacant CA Presiding Justice post are scheduled to be interviewed.
On the other hand, other CA justices also vying for the seat, who were previously interviewed, are Justices Dinnah Aguila-Topacio, Evalyn Arellano-Morales, Stephen Cruz, Gregorio Dela Pena, Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga, Silvino Pampilo Jr., and Vernard Quijano.
The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman.
The council is chaired by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Aranal-Sereno, with ex-officio members, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, along with the legislative branch namely Sen. Richard Gordon and Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali, who shall have a term sharing seat in the JBC. | PNA
