JBC opens applications for court vacancies

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Friday announced the opening of applications and recommendations for six vacancies in the Court of Appeals and other collegial courts in the country.

The JBC will also start accepting applications and recommendations for the position of Overall Deputy Ombudsman to be vacated when the incumbent, Melchor Arthur Carandang, finishes his term and retires on Oct. 14.

Four of the Court of Appeals seats were vacated when justices Rodil Zalameda, Edgardo delos Santos, Mario Lopez and Samuel Gaerlan were elevated to the Supreme Court.

Two were vacated with the retirements of justices Luisa Padilla and Jane Auroral Lantion last January. Also vacant is the seat left by Sandiganbayan Justice Reynaldo Cruz, who passed away last Feb. 21.

At the Court of Tax Appeals, a vacancy also arose with the retirement last Wednesday of Justice Cielito Mindaro-Grulla, and another with the scheduled retirement of Justice Esperanza Fabon-Victorino on Aug. 3. —Jerome Aning