Another Supreme Court justice opts for early retirement

Supreme Court Associate Justice Edgardo Delos Santos. Image from SC website

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has approved the early retirement request of Associate Justice Edgardo Delos Santos, the fourth appointee of President Rodrigo Duterte to the high court to opt for early retirement.

In a resolution, the high court has approved “his (Delos Santos’) request for optional retirement effective June 30, 2021, for reasons pertaining to his current state of health.” The resolution is signed by en banc Clerk of Court Marife Lomibao-Cuevas.

Delos Santos’ early retirement has created another vacancy that should be filled up by President Rodrigo Duterte within 90 days from June 30.

Delos Santos was Duterte’s 12th appointee to the Supreme Court on Dec. 3, 2019. He was supposed to retire on his 70th birthday in June next year.

He is the fourth magistrate during the term of Duterte to opt for early retirement and the second magistrate to cite health reasons.

Earlier, Associate Justice Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla also opt for early retirement citing health reasons. She was supposed to retire in 2028.

On the other hand, Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta also opted for early retirement last March. He was supposed to hang his robe on March 27, 2022.

To date, President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed 16 magistrates, three of whom have already retired while two opted for early retirement — Padilla and now Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who opted for early retirement to occupy the Ombudsman post.

Meanwhile, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has already scheduled the public interview for the vacancy at the 15-man high court following the appointment of Associate Justice Alexander Gesmundo as Chief Justice.

The interview is scheduled for June 2 and 3.

EDV