JBC bares vacancies in SC, Sandigan

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has announced two vacancies in the Supreme Court and the Sandiganbayan due to the retirement of two associate justices.

In its announcement, the JBC said Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Mendoza will be retiring on Aug. 13.

On the other hand, Associate Justice Maria Cristina Cornejo of the Sandiganbayan went on disability retirement which took effect on March 1.

The JBC said it was accepting applications or recommendations for the two positions.

Mendoza, 69, was appointed to the Supreme Court in January 2010 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Prior to his appointment, he served as a regional trial court judge and as an associate justice of the Court of Appeals.

Cornejo opted for early retirement because of health issues after serving for 39 years in the government.

She has been on sick leave since June 13, 2016, and turned 66 on March 1.