1 SC post, 15 candidates

MANILA, Philippines — At least 15 candidates are vying for the position of associate justice in the Supreme Court (SC) vacated by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta nearly two months after he was appointed in October. 

Twelve of the aspirants are Court of Appeals Associate Justices Oscar Badelles, Manuel Barrios, Ramon Bato Jr., Apolinario Bruselas Jr., Ramon Cruz, Samuel Gaerlan, Ramon Garcia, Jhosep Lopez, Eduardo Peralta Jr., Pablito Perez, Ricardo Rosario and Maria Filomena Singh.  

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang is also vying for the position along with Anti-Red Tape Authority deputy director general Ernesto Perez and Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, according to Edgar Aricheta, clerk of court and ex-officio secretary of the Judicial and Bar Council.

Aricheta said Cruz and Peralta will undergo public panel interview at the division hearing room of the SC from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday.

Gaerlan, Lopez, Singh and Perez will be interviewed on Dec. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon. 

Aricheta said the previous interviews of Badelles, Barrios, Bato, Bruselas, Cabotaje-Tang, Garcia, Marquez and Rosario remain valid. 

Filipinos may submit a sworn complaint, report or opposition against any of the candidates through mail. 

They may also personally deliver the document to the JBC’s office located at the SC Centennial building on Padre Faura, Manila.

Or they may send it through facsimile at 02-8552-9607 or through e-mail at [email protected] and [email protected].

Any one who wants to question the qualification of the candidates have until Dec. 16 to submit their opposition, Aricheta said.