Judge handling Maguindanao massacre trial nominee to CA seat

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

In its voting conducted on Monday, QC 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 Justice Hakim Abudlwahid are Iligan City RTC Judge Anisah Bagul Amanodin-Umpa, Makati RTC Judge Perpetua Atal-Pano, and Gapan City, Nueva Ecija Judge Celso Baguio.

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

For the position of Justice Rebecca de Guia-Salvador, who filed for early retirement that took effect last January 31, the JBC’s final 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 last July 4, were Pasig City RTC Judge Danilo Cruz, QC RTC Judge Angeline Mary Quimpo-Sale, Cagayan de Oro City Judge Jeoffre Acebido and lawyer Gabriel Robeniol, a private practitioner specializing in alternative dispute resolution and a professor at the University of Sto. Tomas Faculty of Civil Law.

The seven-member JBC screens aspirants for justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and the Sandiganbayan; and the Ombudsman and his deputies.

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 nominees within 90 days from the submission of the list. Jerome Aning, Philippine Daily Inquirer