JBC sets interview for Associate Justice candidates

MANILA, Philippines—The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has already set the date of public interview of 12 aspirants for the position as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, which was vacated by Maria Lourdes Sereno who was appointed Chief Justice.

Public interview is set on October 23 and 25.

Scheduled for interview on October 23 are Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Ramon M. Bato, Jr., former University of Perpetual Help System Law Dean Jose-Santos B. Bisquera, CA Associate Justice Rosemari D. Carandang, and Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Maria Cristina J. Cornejo. On October 25, the JBC will interview former Regional Trial Court Judge Adoracion P. Cruz-Avisado, Court of Appeals Associate Justices Magdangal M. De Leon, Isaias P. Dicdican, Jose C. Reyes, Jr., Noel G. Tijam, former University of the Philippines Law Dean Marvic M. Leonen, former Department of Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo M. Lotilla and Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Andres B. Reyes, Jr.,

The other three candidates, De La Salle University Law Dean Jose Manuel I. Diokno, Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Teresita J. Herbosa, and former Ateneo Law Dean Cesar L. Villanueva, had already been interviewed in July 2012 when they were vying for the position of Chief Justice.

After the public interviews, the JBC is constitutionally mandated to narrow down the list of aspirants and submit it to President Benigno Aquino III who has 90 days from the time the position became vacant on Aug. 24 with Sereno’s appointment as Chief Justice.