Gaerlan named new SC justice

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Court of Appeals Justice Samuel Gaerlan to the Supreme Court, to fill up the vacancy left by the promotion of Justice Diosdado Peralta to Chief Justice, with presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo confirming the appointment on Wednesday.

Gaerlan is a graduate of the San Beda College of Law, Duterte’s alma mater.

He served as trial court judge before being named to the appellate court.

Gaerlan was one of the justices who concurred with the acquittal of pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles in the illegal detention case filed by her relative Benhur Luy.

‍‍‍‍‍‍‍—Leila B. Salaverria