By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. appointed Supreme Court’s (SC) Court Administrator Raul Villanueva as the new SC associate justice, his first appointee to the high court.
Marcos administered Villanueva’s oath of office in a ceremony in Malacañang this Tuesday, June 10. Villanueva replaced Associate Justice Mario Lopez, who retired from service on June 4.
The Chief Executive said Villanueva’s appointment is “well deserved”, citing his “wealth of experience as a judge.”
The new SC justice began his judicial career in 2022 as presiding judge of the Las Piñas City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 255. He also served as acting presiding judge of Taguig City RTC Branch 267 and the Manila RTC Branch 4.
“He [Villanueva] is well-versed in all that needs to be done for the proper and smooth function of the court,” President Marcos said in a short press statement after Villanueva’s oath.
The President also expressed hope that Villanueva would be able to contribute to the good working relationship between the SC and the executive branch. (PNA)
