JBC to interview bets for SC post on November 16, 17

MANILA, Philippines - The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is set to interview on Nov. 16 and 17 the candidates to replace Supreme Court Associate Justices Jose Perez and Arturo Brion, who will retire on Dec. 14 and 29, respectively.

On Nov. 16, seven of the 14 candidates vying for the position of Perez to be interviewed are: Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, lawyer Rita Linda Ventura Jimeno, Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Rowena Apao-Adlawan, Court of Appeals (CA) Justices Japar Dimaampao and Noel Tijam, Sandiganbayan Justice Samuel Martires and Department of Justice (DOJ) chief state counsel Ricardo Paras III.

Seven other candidates for the positions of Perez and Brion, whose previous interviews remain valid, will no longer have to face the JBC panel.

They are CA Presiding Justice Andres Reyes Jr. and CA Justices Apolinario Bruselas Jr., Rosmari Carandang, Stephen Cruz and Jose Reyes Jr., Quezon City Judge Reynaldo Daway and Sandiganbayan Justice Alex Quiroz.

Meanwhile, three more of the 17 candidates seeking to replace Brion are set to be grilled on Nov. 17.

They are CA Mindanao Executive Justice Romulo Borja, CA Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier and lawyer Joseph San Pedro.

The JBC encourages the public to submit a sworn complaint, report or opposition if they have any valid reason against any of the candidates.