Malolos judge named new Court of Tax Appeals justice

President Benigno Aquino III has appointed a judge from Bulacan province as the newest associate justice of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).

The appointment of Ma. Belen Ringpis Liban, current judge of the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 85, was contained in a one-page transmittal letter of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, and was also announced in Malacañang by deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte at a press briefing Wednesday.

The appointment paper was signed May 17 and transmitted to the high court on May 20.

The Court of Tax Appeal is a specialized court that interprets the country's tax statues and hears cases involving unjust tax assessments.

Liban would be replacing the vacated post of retired CTA Associate Justice Olga Palanca -Enriquez.

"I am pleased to transmit the appointment paper of Hon. Ma. Belen Ringpis Liban as Associate Justice, Court of Tax Appeals, vice Hon. Olga Palanca R. Enriquez, signed by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III," read the transmittal letter.

Liban obtained a law degree from the University of the Philippines and had worked at the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) before being installed as Malolos RTC judge.

Liban was included in the shortlist earlier prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council, the constitutionally mandated body to vet and screen applicants for vacant judicial posts. She got five votes from the JBC.

At the briefing in Malacañang, Valte also announced the appointment of Teresita Hatta to the Central Board of Liquidators, replacing Leopoldo Abad Jr.

The President's spokesperson also said that Aurora Javate-de Dios has been appointed as the Philippines' representative to the Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). — Mark Merueñas and Andreo Calonzo/KBK, GMA News