Sandiganbayan's Cabotaje-Tang, 5 others to face JBC panel for public interview

MANILA, Philippines — The anti-graft court’s top justice will face Judicial and Bar Council to become the next Supreme Court associate justice on December 5.

The JBC set the public interview on December 5 for six out of the 20 applicants for the seat to be vacated by SC Associate Justice Noel Tijam.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang will face the JBC panel with fellow anti-graft court Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz.

Others who will face the Council are Court of Appeals Associate Justice Eduardo Peralta Jr., Ramon Cruz, Ricardo Rosario and Ramon Bato Jr.

Sixteen others have also sent in their applications for Tijam’s seat, but have public interviews which are deemed valid for the year.

Tijam is set to retire from the high court on January 5, 2019.

Meanwhile, members of the JBC will meet on Friday—November 23—to deliberate on the shortlist for the next chief justice.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, a member of the JBC by virtue of his position, said that the council will come up with a shortlist on Friday. The list will then be submitted to President Rodrigo Duterte.

The JBC received five applications for the top judge post: Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Estela-Perlas Bernabe and Andres Reyes Jr.

Under the Constitution, a vacancy at the high court should be filled within 90 days.

Former Chief Justice Teresita De Castro retired on October 10. Duterte has until January 8 to appoint De Castro’s successor.