MANILA – The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is set to conduct a public interview on Sept. 26 for applicants vying for the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (SC).
The position was vacated by Associate Justice Samuel Martires, whose early retirement was granted by the High Court’s en banc, after he was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to replace Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, whose term ended on July 26.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, JBC ex-officio member of JBC, noted that those who already had a previous interview will no longer undergo another interview.
He said the JBC has likewise scheduled the voting for the shortlist of candidates for the post on October 1.
Guevarra said the aspirants for the post are: SC Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez; Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justices Oscar Badelles, Manuel Barrios, Apolinario Bruselas, Jr., Rosmari Carandang, Stephen Cruz, Japar Dimaampao, Amy Lazaro-Javier, Ramon Garcia, Edgardo Delos Santos, Ramon Paul Hernando and Mario Lopez and Tagum City, Davao del Norte Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 1 Judge Virginia Tejano-Ang.
He added that a lawyer outside the judiciary has also applied but his/her name has been withheld pending evaluation of documentary requirements submitted.
At present, there are only 13 justices in the 15-member High Court.
Meanwhile, the JBC will accept applications and documentary requirements until Oct. 1 for those who want to apply for the Associate Justice post vacated by Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro.
Martires and de Castro's replacement would be President Rodrigo Duterte’s sixth and seventh appointee to the High Court, the others being Martires, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo and Jose Reyes Jr.
The JBC is constitutionally-mandated to screen applicants to the judiciary and top Ombudsman positions. (PNA)
