JBC shortlists 10 for Supreme Court post

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has shortlisted 10 individuals, mostly Court of Appeals (CA) justices, for an upcoming Supreme Court (SC) vacancy brought about by Associate Justice Noel Tijam's retirement on January 5.

Leading the shortlist with six votes each from the six-member council are CA justices Manuel Barrios, Japar Dimaampao, and Amy Lazaro-Javier, said Justice Secretary and JBC ex-officio member Menardo Guevarra on Friday.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and CA justices Ramon Cruz, Ramon Garcia, and Mario Lopez earned five votes each.

Completing the list with four votes each are CA justice Apolinario Bruselas, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez and former Ateneo law dean Cesar Villanueva, the Justice chief said.

The list will be forwarded to Malacanang, said Marquez, who is also SC spokesman. President Rodrigo Duterte, the appointing authority, is mandated by the Constitution to choose his appointee from the JBC shortlist.

Earlier this week, the SC en banc held an internal, recommendatory vote for the upcoming vacancy. The justices recommended Barrios, CA magistrate Ramon Bato Jr., Garcia, and Marquez.

The JBC has also opened the application period for another associate justice seat: that of Lucas Bersamin, who was appointed chief justice in late November to replace the retired Teresita Leonardo-De Castro.

Over two years since he assumed the presidency, Duterte has designated seven people to the highest Philippine court, namely Samuel Martires, who is now the Ombudsman; Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes, Jr., Alexander Gesmundo, Jose Reyes, Jr., Ramon Paul Hernando and Rosmari Carandang. — MDM, GMA News