SC endorses to JBC 8 aspirants for a vacancy

The Supreme Court on Tuesday endorsed to the Judicial and Bar Council eight applicants to the post of SC associate justice that was vacated by Associate Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. who retired last May 11.

During its en banc session, SC justices recommended the nomination of Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez and Court of Appeals Associate Justices Ricardo R. Rosario, Jaapar B. Dimaampao, Priscilla J. Baltazar Padilla, Manuel M. Barrios, Pablito A. Perez, Edwin D. Sorongon, and Ramon A. Cruz.

Padilla and Sorongon were among those subjected to an interview via Zoom last May 28 by the JBC members. Marquez, Rosario, Dimaampao, Barrios, Perez, and Cruz were no longer interviewed as their previous interviews were still valid.

The JBC, concurrently chaired by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, is the constitutional office that accepts, screens and nominates appointments to the judiciary, Ombudsman, deputy Ombudsman, special prosecutor, and the chairperson and regular members of the Legal Education Board.

The JBC is set to meet next week to vote on its official nominees to the post vacated by Reyes.

Under the Constitution, President Rodrigo Duterte has 90 days from the date of vacancy to appoint a replacement from the list of nominees submitted by the JBC.