Maguindanao massacre judge gets nomination to CA

The Quezon City judge hearing the 2008 Maguindanao massacre case is among the 14 judges and lawyers nominated by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) for the four vacancies in the Court of Appeals.

In its voting conducted on Monday, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes emerged as one of the three nominees to succeed the late Justice Michael Elbinias, who died in November 2014.

The other nominees are Makati City RTC Judges Selma Alaras and Andres Soriano, and Manila RTC Judge Ruben Reynaldo Roxas.

Nominated to succeed retired Justice Hakim Abdudlwahid were Iligan City RTC Judge Anisah Bagul Amanodin-Umpa, Makati RTC Judge Perpetua Atal-Paño and Gapan City Judge Celso Baguio.

Prior to his retirement on June 12, Abdulwahid was one of the two Muslim justices on the appeals tribunal.

For the seat of Justice Rebecca de Guia-Salvador, who filed for early retirement that took effect on Jan. 31, the JBC’s nominees are Marikina City RTC Judge Geraldine Macaraig, Lipa City RTC Judge Danilo Sandoval and Manila RTC Judge Ma. Celestina Cruz-Mangrobang.

Nominated to succeed Justice Isaias Dicdican, who retired on July 4, were Pasig City RTC Judge Danilo Cruz, Quezon City RTC Judge Angeline Mary Quimpo-Sale, Cagayan de Oro City Judge Jeoffre Acebido and lawyer Gabriel Robeniol, a private practitioner and professor at the University of Santo Tomas.

The council, chaired by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, is required under the Constitution to submit a list of at least three nominees for each vacant position. The President must choose from the list of nominees within 90 days of the submission of the list.