The retirement of Associate Justice Martin S. Villarama Jr. last week paved the way for the reorganization of the Supreme Court’s three divisions.
Under Memorandum Circular No. 2311 signed by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno, the Court’s First Division headed by chief magistrate herself is now composed of Justices Teresita J. Leonardo-de Castro, Lucas P. Bersamin, Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, and Francis H. Jardeleza.
The Court’s Second Division chaired by Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio will have Justices Arturo D. Brion, Mariano C. del Castillo, Jose Catral Mendoza, and Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen as members.
Justice Presbitero J. Velasco Jr. heads the third division with Justices Diosdado M. Peralta, Jose Portugal Perez, and Bienvenido L. Reyes. Justice Jardeleza is a temporary member of the division until a new justice is appointed.
The Judicial and Bar Council has submitted to President Aquino its five nominees to the vacant post in the SC.
The shortlisted aspirants include Justice Secretary Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa, Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Andres Reyes, CA Associate Justice Jose Reyes, former Commission on Audit Chairperson Maria Gracia Pulido Tan, and CA Associate Justice Apolinario Bruselas.
Under the Constitution, the President has 90 days from Jan. 16, the date of Villarama’s retirement, to appoint a replacement.
The SC’s three divisions meet Mondays and Wednesdays. As a full court, the SC meets every Tuesday and may call as many special sessions as needed.