Supreme Court Justice Amy Javier assumes post

MANILA, Philippines — Newly appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier formally assumed her post yesterday as she vowed independence from the appointing authority.

Javier, who was promoted from her post as associate justice in the Court of Appeals, took her oath of office at the high court in ceremonies led by Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin.

Eight other magistrates of the high tribunal attended the event to welcome their new colleague – Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Mariano del Castillo, Estela Perlas-Bernabe, Marvic Leonen, Francis Jardeleza, Andres Reyes Jr., Alexander Gesmundo and Rosmari Carandang. They were joined by retired chief justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro.

The new SC magistrate took the place of Associate Justice Noel Tijam, who retired from the judiciary in January.

Javier is 62 years old and will retire in November 2026.

During her public interview with the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) last year, she said she “does not see Duterte as an enemy of women.”

“I see him as a person who respects and loves his late mother, who he credits to have unconditionally loved him and brought out the leader that he is,” she said when asked to comment on the President’s “predilection for male appointees.”

Javier, who obtained her law degree from the University of Santo Tomas, had been with the CA since 2007. She also served in the Office of the Solicitor General for 13 years.

Meanwhile, Tijam also took his oath of office as new member of the Judicial and Bar Council representing academe.

Tijam was also appointed by the President last year.