Some 16 applicants are vying for the position of Associate Justice in the Supreme Court (SC), the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) confirmed Tuesday.
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 vice chairman, said the aspirants for the post include SC Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, Court of Appeals 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; Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Alexander Quiroz; Tagum City, Davao del Norte Regional Trial Court Branch 1 Judge Virginia Tejano-Ang; and CEU Law School associate dean Rita Linda Ventura-Jimeno.
He added that one “outsider” or lawyer outside the judiciary has also applied but his/her name has been withheld pending evaluation of documentary requirements submitted.
The JBC set the deadline for applications and submission of documentary requirements on Monday. It has yet to set the public interview of the applicants.
However, those who already had a previous interview will no longer undergo another interview.
At present, there are only 13 justices in the 15-member High Court.
Meanwhile, the JBC will accept applications and documentary requirements for those who want to apply for the Associate Justice post vacated by Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro until October 1.
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
