Duterte completes JBC with appointment of retired SC Justice Tijam

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Noel Tijam as a regular member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, an ex-officio member of the JBC, confirmed Tijam’s appointment.

Guevarra said Tijam who retired from the high court last January will be replacing lawyer Jose Mejia as representative of the academe in the seven-member council constitutionally mandated to vet nominees to judicial posts.

His appointment completes the composition of the JBC chaired by Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin, with Guevarra and Sen. Richard Gordon as ex-officio members.

The other regular members of the council are retired SC Justice Jose Mendoza, lawyer Milagros Fernan-Cayosa from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and retired Judge Toribio Ilao from the private sector. /ee

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