JBC announces vacancies in judiciary

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is set to hold public panel interviews for those aspiring to fill current or looming vacancies in the Court of Appeals (CA), Sandiganbayan and the Office of the Ombudsman. The JBC said three vacancies will occur in the Court of Appeals with the mandatory retirement of Associate Justice Oscar Badelles on April 20, 2024, Associate Justice Ramon Garcia on on May 10, and Associate Justice Alfredo Ampuan on June 6. The seat of Associate Justice Mariflor Castillo was also vacated after Castillo was named CA presiding justice last year. In the Sandiganbayan, there will be two vacancies after the retirement of Associate Justice Oscar Herrera Jr. on May 23, and Justice Efren De La Cruz on June 18. The term of Ombudsman Special Prosecutor Justice Edilberto Sandoval is also expected to expire on June 27. The interviews will be conducted from May 20 to June 7 at the Supreme Court Division Hearing Room in Manila. —JANE BAUTISTA