37 judges, lawyers included in shortlists for 6 anti-graft court seats

MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council has nominated 37 judges and lawyers for six seats in the two newly created divisions of the anti-graft court Sandiganbayan.

The seven-member council, chaired by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, conducted its vote on Monday and came out with six shortlists from a total of 90 applicants for the position of associate justice of the Sandiganbayan.

In the first shortlist for the position of the 16th justice nominated were regional trial court Judges Philip Aguinaldo, Reynaldo Alhambra, Danilo Cruz, Benjamin Pozon, Danilo Sandoval and Salvador Timbang Jr.

For the 17th post, nominated were judges Maryann Corpuz – Mañalac, Ma. Theresa Mendoza-Arcega and Andres Soriano, assistant solicitor general Ma. Antonia Edita Dizon and Senate blue ribbon committee secretary Rodolfo Noel Quimbo.

For the 18th post, nominated were judges Celso Baguio, Ma. Teresa De Guzman-Alvarez, Bernelito Fernandez, Elvira Panganiban and Fernando Sagun Jr. and Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno’s staff Zaldy Trespeses.

For the 19th post, the nominees were judges Frances Guanzon, Marissa Macaraig -Guillen, Vilma Pauig and Ruben Reynaldo Roxas, assistant solicitor general Renan Ramos and Malacañang undersecretary Reynaldo Cruz.

In the fifth shortlist for the 20th post are judges Perpetua Atal-Paño, Thelma Bunyi-Medina, Luisito Cortez, Geraldine Fiel-Macaraig and Angeline Mary Quimpo-Sale; Office of the Ombudsman director Bayani Jacinto; and assistant solicitor genera Karl Miranda.

The final shortlist for the 21st post includes judges Wilhelmina Jorge-Wagan, Geraldine Faith Econg, Rosanna Fe Romero-Maglaya, Merianthe Pacita Zuraek and Victoria Fernandez-Bernardo and Malacañang undersecretary for special concerns Michael Frederick Musngi.

President Aquino has 90 days to take his pick from each shortlist. Since he assumed presidency, Aquino appointed only six out of the current 15 justices. With another six appointees, his appointees would be the majority in the 21-member tribunal.

The vacancies emanated from Republic Act No. 10660, which was signed by Aquino last April. The law aims to strengthen the functional and structural organization of the Sandiganbayan, which resolves cases of corruption against government officials.

The court originally had three divisions until it expanded to five divisions with three members each in March 1995. It currently has 15 justices.

Under RA 10660, there will be seven divisions with three members each or a total of 21 justices.

The JBC is a constitutional body mandated to screen nominees for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Office of the Ombudsman.

The council is chaired by Sereno, with Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and Justice Secretary Benjamin Caguioa as ex-officio members. The regular members are retired Supreme Court justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez, ; lawyer Jose Mejia, who represents the academe; retired appeals justice Aurora Santiago-Lagman, representing the private sector; and lawyer Milagros Fernan-Cayosa representing the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. SFM