Duterte names Midas Marquez as SC associate justice

Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez takes his oath as the 192nd Associate Justice of the Supreme Court before Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo at the En Banc Session Hall this afternoon. Looking on are (from left) his brother-in-law Ed Lingao; his sister Esther Lingao; his son Augusto Luis; and his daughter Marinela Andrea. Justice Marquez’s appointment completes the 15- member roster of the SC. (Masks removed for photo purposes.) Photo from SC-PIO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez as Supreme Court (SC) associate justice.

This was confirmed by the Office of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Tuesday.

Midas will replace Justice Edgardo delos Santos who retired early last June.

“The Executive Secretary confirms the appointment of Mr. JOSE MIDAS PASCUAL MARQUEZ as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court vice Justice Edgardo L. Delos Santos,” the Office of the Executive Secretary said.

The appointment letter addressed to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo dated Sept. 27, 2021, was received by the Supreme Court on Nov. 16.

On Tuesday, Marquez officially took his oath before Gesmundo as the 192 Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

Marquez is considered “homegrown” having started his career as law clerk in 1991. He served under Associate Justices Abraham Sarmiento, Senior Justice and former Philippine Judicial Academy chancellor Ameurfina Melencio-Herrera, and Senior Associate Justice Josue Bellosillo.

From legal clerk, he rose from the ranks before being appointed as Court Administrator in 2010. He also served as the Supreme Court’s Public Information Chief and Spokesperson during the time of Chief Justice Reynato Puno and Renato Corona. He temporarily served as spokesperson during the time of Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin.

Court Administrators are historically appointed to the Supreme Court as a matter of career path. Marquez’ predecessors Bellosillo, Presbitero Velasco Jr. (now Marinduque Governor) and the late Jose Perez were all Court Administrators before being appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice.

Marquez has been aspiring for a high court seat since 2017. In 2018, his Supreme Court bid was opposed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

READ: Sara Duterte opposes Midas Marquez’ bid for SC post

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) welcomed Marquez’ appointment.

“His appointment to the high court is an acknowledgment of his long-standing service to the Supreme Court…Supreme Court Associate Justice Marquez will have fifteen years to work with other members of the Supreme Court,” IBP National President and 25th Chair of the Board of Governors Burt Estrada said.

Meanwhile, House Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate said Marquez’s appointment was a “long time coming.”

“We trust that as a magistrate now of the High Court, he will continue to support and pursue the long-overdue reforms needed in the judiciary, not only in terms of jurisprudence but, institutional as well, especially in the areas that will advance and protect the rights of our people, the majority poor especially,” Zarate said.

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