2 Cebu judges seek to become CA justices

Regional Trial Court executive judge Simeon Dumdum Jr. and Mandaue City RTC judge Augustine Vestil want to follow in the footsteps of former fellow Cebu judges who became justices of the Court of Appeals.

Vestil and Dumdum, who is also a columnist, are among the 43 applicants for the position of associate justice of the CA to replace Justice Perlita Tria Tirona who retired from the service last June 29.

Aside from them, other judges and prominent lawyers in different parts of the country are also aspiring for the position.

Based on the list published by the Supreme Court, only two judges in Cebu that have signified their intention to hold positions at the CA.

There are six former Cebu RTC judges who are now associate justices of the CA. They are Pampio Abarintos, Mercedez Gozo-Dadole, Isaias Dicdican, Godardo Jacinto, Portia Aliño-Hormachuelos and Bernardo Salas.

Aside from the judges, the practicing lawyers are also qualified to apply as associate justice of the Supreme Court if they have reached the required period of at least ten years in the legal practice and they have no pending case involving moral turpitude.

It is the policy of the SC to publish the names of the applicants for the position of justices of the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, including those aspiring as judges of the trial courts in order for the public to inform if the applicants have derogatory records.

Some prominent lawyers in Cebu said Dumdum and Vestil are more than qualified already to become associate justice of the CA.

An associate justice of the CA only earns a monthly salary of about P40,000. A lawyer explained that those who are aspiring to the position does not want to become rich, but to reach the goal of their legal profession. - Rene U. Borromeo