A LAWYER-staff of Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III has been appointed magistrate in the Court of Tax Appeals.
In a transmittal letter to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Executive Secretary Medialdea informed her President Rodrigo Duterte designated Atty. Catherine Manahan as CTA associate justice vice Justice Amelia Colangco-Manalastas who retired from the judiciary upon reaching the age of 70.
“I am pleased to transmit herewith the appointment letter of Ms. Catherine T. Manahan, Associate Justice of the Court of Tax Appeals (vice Amelita Colangco-Manalastas), signed by President Rodrigo Duterte,” Medialdea stated.
“Kindly notify and furnish the appointee with her appointment letter within seven days from receipt hereof,” the Palace official said.
Shortlisted by the Judicial and Bar Council to the CTA post, Manahan, who is actively helping in the Legal Aid Center of the UP Women Lawyers’ Circle, Inc. or Wiloci, provides legal assistance to women and children who are victims of abuses and violence.
The seven-man JBC, constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees for vacancies in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman, is headed by Chief Justice Sereno, with ex-officio members, namely Sen. Richard Gordon and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
Retired SC Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, head of the Executive Committee and represents the retired SC justice sector; lawyer Jose Mejia representing the academe, retired Judge Toribio Ilao, representing the private sector, and Milagros Fernan-Cayosa from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines are the other regular members of the JBC.