17 candidates vie for SC justice post

MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council has announced 17 applicants, including Court of Appeals (CA) and Sandiganbayan justices, vying for the post of Supreme Court (SC) associate justice, which will be vacated by Associate Justice Mario Lopez, who will retire on June 4.

The JBC, which screens the applicants, announced the public interview of the candidates will be held on May 14, 15, 16 and 21.

The public may submit a sworn complaint, report or opposition against any of the candidates no later than 4:30 p.m. of May 9.

The candidates include CA Presiding Justice Fernanda Lampas-Peralta; CA Justices Nina Antonio-Valenzuela, Ramon Bato Jr., Ramon Cruz, Maria Elisa Diy, Carlito Calpatura, Myra Garcia-Fernandez, Ronaldo Roberto Martin and Walter Ong.

Sandiganbayan Justices Karl Miranda and Ronald Moreno and Court of Tax Appeals Justice Maria Rowena San Pedro are also vying for the post.

Also among the candidates are SC Court administrator Raul Villanueva, UP Law dean Darlene Berberabe, Philippine Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization Manuel Teehankee, lawyer Maria Rosario Bernardo and former law dean Maria Concepcion Noche.

The public interviews will be conducted by the JBC at the SC Session Hall or CA Session Hall.