MANILA, Philippines – Former Justice Secretary Alfredo Bejamin Caguioa on Tuesday took his oath as the Supreme Court’s (SC) 174th associate justice.
Caguioa was appointed by his former classmate, President Benigno Aquino III, after going through a public interview under the Judicial Bar and Council last January 22.
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He will take the post vacated by Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr. who availed of early retirement due to health reasons on January 16.
Caguioa took his oath before Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Aranal Sereno on Tuesday afternoon.
During the ceremonies, three other members of the SC en banc were present. Caguioa’s family and his former colleagues at the Department of Justice, led by current Acting Secretary Emmanuel Caparas were also there to witness his oath.
Caguioa is expected to join the entire SC en banc in the oral arguments on Sen. Grace Poe’s disqualification case next week.