Romeo Barza is new Court of Appeals presiding justice

President Rodrigo Duterte has named a new presiding justice of the Court of Appeals (CA), five months after he elevated its former chief, Andres Reyes Jr., to the Supreme Court (SC) in July.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed on Friday that Duterte appointed CA Associate Justice Romeo Barza, who beat out Acting Presiding Justice Remedios Salazar-Fernando and CA Marlene Gonzales-Sison for the post.

A native of Lupon, Davao Oriental, Barza co-founded the now disbanded Carpio Villaraza Barza Cruz & Rosell Law Offices which was previously known as The Firm.

Barza started his career in the judiciary in October 1995 when he was named judge in Batangas City. He was elected national president of the Philippine Judges Association in 2003 and re-elected in 2005.

Barza, who obtained his law degree from the University of the Philippines in 1974, was trustee of the Philippine Judicial Academy from 2003 to 2006.

Then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Barza to the appellate court on May 4, 2006. —NB, GMA News