Duterte names 2 new CA justices

The Court of Appeals. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/COURT OF APPEALS WEBSITE

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has named two new Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals (CA), Malacañang confirmed on Thursday.

Acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said Duterte has appointed John Lee Zurbito and Eleutrio Larisma Bathan as the two new justices of the CA.

“The Palace congratulates Mr. John Zurbito Lee and Mr. Eleuterio Larisma Bathan on their appointment as Associate Justices of the Court of Appeals,” Andanar said in a statement.

“We wish both Associate Justices all the best, and we are confident that they would dispense justice with fairness, impartiality and integrity,” he added.

Lee and Bathan will assume the posts vacated by Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao, who was appointed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; and Associate Justice Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga, who has resigned in November last year.

Bathan who served as a Quezon City Regional Trial Court judge, convicted a member of the Maute terrorist group.

/MUF