JBC opens Supreme Court vacancy

MANILA, Philippines - The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened a vacancy in the Supreme Court (SC) with the early retirement of Associate Justice Martin Villarama Jr. in January next year.

Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te announced yesterday that the JBC has officially started the selection process for the SC post and set the deadline for nominations and applications on Nov. 23.

Despite the opening of a vacancy, Te would not confirm if the high court has already approved Villarama’s application for optional retirement on Jan. 16, 2016.

JBC member lawyer Jose Mejia, for his part, said the public interviews could be set in January.

He said their seven-member council could then come up with a shortlist by February next year, which means President Aquino may be able to name his sixth appointee in the high tribunal.