THE Judicial and Bar Council on Friday officially opened the acceptance of the applications and nominations for the post of associate justice at the Supreme Court, which was left vacant following the promotion of Lucas Bersamin to chief justice.
The seven-member council led by Bersamin said the aspirants may send their application or recommendation and the requirements by Jan. 22, 2019.
Bersamin, who served as an associate justice from 2009 to November 2018, was appointed top magistrate by President Rodrigo Duterte on Nov. 28.
Aside from the post vacated by Bersamin, the JBC is now vetting the applicants aspiring to succeed Associate Justice Noel Tijam, who will retire on Jan. 5, 2019.
The council members interviewed six of the 19 candidates to the post this week. The JBC is expected to deliberate on the shortlist of nominees for recommendation to the President.
The vacancy caused by Bersamin’s appointment as chief justice paved the way for Duterte to appoint another Supreme Court justice. He has already appointed seven people to the 15-member bench: Associate Justices Samuel Martires, Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo, Jose Reyes Jr., Ramon Paul Hernando and Rosmari Carandang.
The JBC also opened the acceptance of nominations for the posts of Legal Education Board chairman and regular member representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.
The terms of LEB chairman Emerson Aquende and member Zenaida N. Elepaño will both end on Jan. 13.