The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has begun screening aspirants for the Supreme Court (SC) position scheduled to be vacated by Associate Justice Jose Mendoza next month.
Interviewed by the JBC are Deputy Ombudsman for Luzon Gerard A. Mosquera, Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, and Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.
The three are among the 13 legal luminaries who are aspiring for the SC associate justice position.
Gaerlan was asked by the JBC on the controversial cases that he has acted upon in the appellate court. He said that he concurred in the CA’s recent decision to acquit controversial businesswoman and alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim Napoles on the illegal detention case of her former aide and second cousin Benhur K. Luy.
“Upon review, there was no serious illegal detention because [Mr.] Luy was free to go out and contact family,” he said.
When asked about his view on President Rodrigo Duterte’s martial law proclamation, he said he believed “there is sufficient basis” for the proclamation to quell rebellion and invasion in the Mindanao area.
Gesmundo, on the other hand, was questioned about the low disposition of cases in the Sandiganbayan. He said this happens because of the “peculiarity of cases” in the anti-graft court where there are several accused on a single case.
Mosquera, meanwhile, was last to be interviewed. He assured of his independence should he be given the opportunity to serve as a high court magistrate.
“I will not be influenced. I have always stood up for my principles, resolved cases on basis of facts, evidence, applicable law,” he said.
Other aspirants whose interviews were held valid by the council are: CA Presiding Justice Andres B. Reyes Jr. and Associate Justices Ramon M. Bato Jr., Apolinario D. Bruselas Jr., Rosmari D. Carandang, Stephen C. Cruz, Japar B. Dimaampao, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, and Jose C. Reyes Jr.
The public interview of SC Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, who faced the Council last June 19, also remains valid.
Justice Mendoza is the fourth SC to retire under the Duterte administration. He will be having a mandatory retirement at the age of 70 on August 13. JPV