MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Court of Appeals Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao as the Supreme Court’s newest justice.
The appointment, dated July 2, was announced by the high court on Tuesday.
NEW APPOINTMENT: Court of Appeals Associate Justice Hon. Japar B. Dimaampao is the 191st Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (vice Hon. Alexander G. Gesmundo) pic.twitter.com/gk5noTJrmj
— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) September 14, 2021
Diamampao, a well-known Muslim jurist and magistrate, is only the second Muslim high court justice after Abdulwahid Bidin, appointed in 1987.
He is taking over the vacant associate justice seat left when Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo assumed the top judge post.
READ: Duterte urged to appoint Muslim magistrate to SC
Dimaampao, 57, is from Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. He has served as a Court of Appeals justice for 17 years and will serve the high court for 13 long years, until 2033.
He has been applying for the high tribunal post ever since before the administration of Duterte, and his name has appeared on several shortlists. Dimaampao has long enjoyed the support of the Muslim community in the country.
READ: Duterte urged to appoint Muslim magistrate to SC