THE Judicial and Bar Council has transmitted to President Rodrigo Duterte a shortlist of six nominees for the lone vacancy at the Court of Tax Appeals, which is mandated to hear and resolve tax cases.
During its session on Friday, the seven-man JBC shortlisted the following applicants: Caloocan City Regional Trial Court Judge Lorenza Bordios, who is a native of Davao and a graduate of San Beda College of Law; Catherine Manahan, the chief of staff of Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.
The JBC also included in its shortlist Manila RTC Judge Ma. Celestina Cruz-Mangrobang, Mandaluyong City RTC Judge Esteban Tacla, Pasig RTC Judge Rowena San Pedro and San Miguel Corp. tax lawyer Ruby Sison.
Only six members of the JBC chaired by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno participated in the shortlisting of nominees for CTA post because retired RTC Judge Toribio Ilao, representing the JBC Private Sector has yet to be confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.
Sereno, heads the JBC, which is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees to the President for vacant positions in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman, with ex-officio members, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
Senator Leila De Lima and Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali, as representative by Congress, shall have a term sharing seat in the JBC.
Retired SC Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez is the head of the Executive Committee and represents the retired SC Justice Sector; lawyer Jose Mejia represents academe, and Milagros Fernan-Cayosa represents the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
