CA justices Dimaampao, Garcia top JBC balloting
President Rodrigo Duterte’s seventh appointee to the Supreme Court will come from among eight Court of Appeals (CA) justices and a Supreme Court official.
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Monday submitted to Malacañang its shortlist of nine candidates to replace former Associate Justice Samuel Martires, who was appointed Ombudsman by the President last July 27.
According to the Constitution, the President must fill up a vacancy in top judiciary posts within 90 days by choosing from among the JBC’s nominees.
CA Associate Justices Japar Dimaampao and Ramon Garcia topped the shortlist by getting the nod of all six JBC members.
CA Associate Justices Manuel Barrios, Apolinario Bruselas Jr. and Rosmari Carandang each garnered five votes, while Associate Justices Edgardo de los Santos, Ramon Hernando and Amy Lazaro-Javier, as well as Court Administrator Midas Marquez earned four votes each.
Second Muslim
Article continues after this advertisementThe Marawi City-born Dimaampao has been nominated to the Supreme Court since 2010. If appointed, the 55-year-old Dimaampao would only be the second Muslim, after Abdulwahid A. Bidin, to sit as Supreme Court justice.
Article continues after this advertisementMarquez made it to the shortlist despite the opposition of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
The President has appointed five Supreme Court justices since he assumed office in 2016. They are Associate Justices Noel Tijam, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo, Jose Reyes Jr. and Martires.
The President also appointed Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro, who replaced Maria Lourdes Sereno.
Also on Monday, the JBC opened the nomination for Chief Justice since De Castro would mandatorily retire on Oct. 10 after only a little over a month in her post.
