MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has already come up with a list of names to replace Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano Del Castillo, who will reach the mandatory retirement age on July 29.
Included in the shortlist are four Court of Appeals Associate Justices – Apolinario D. Bruselas Jr., Japar B. Dimaampao, Jhosep Y. Lopez, and Rodil V. Zalameda.
Also in the shortlist are Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) Presiding Justice Ramon Del Rosario Garcia and Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez.
The names will be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte, who has 90 days upon vacancy to pick his choice.
Del Castillo’s replacement will be Duterte’s 10th appointee to the Supreme Court.
Before 2019 ends, Duterte is expected to appoint another Chief Justice and three more Associate Justices to the Supreme Court. /kga