Davao judge vying for CJ post thinks she’s applying to be Associate Justice

The lone Regional Trial Court judge vying for the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court said she thought she was applying for the post of Associate Justice.

“I am applying for the position of Associate Justice vice Honorable Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno,” Tagum City RTC Branch 1 Judge Virginia Tehano-Ang wrote in the application she submitted to the high court.

She said she is already 65 years old, and she believes she has enough experience to become an Associate Justice.

She also explained that with the ouster of Sereno, she thought the vacant position will be for an associate justice because the chief justice will be appointed among the justices.

When a member of the Judicial Bar Council (JBC) remarked that she does not appear serious with her application, she said, “pinaghirapan ko na ito, nagpa-interview na ako sa iyo, pwede na po. Sayang yung effort ko (I worked hard for this, you already interviewed me. Let not my effort go to waste).”

A JBC member asked if she was bold enough to apply because she hails from Davao. Tehano-Ang merely said the President is fair in his decisions.

“Hindi porket taga Davao ka ikaw ang pipiliin niya (He will not chose you only because you are from Davao),” she added.

The JBC will have its final deliberation on Aug. 31 to come up with a shortlist that will be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte. /ee

READ: Davao del Norte trial judge applies for Chief Justice post