MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reappointed law professor Nesauro Firme as a member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).
Speaking to the press on Wednesday, July 8, Palace Press Secretary Claire Castro said Marcos will facilitate Firme's oath-taking as the JBC's member representing the academe.
This will be Firme's second term with the JBC. He was first appointed by Marcos to the council on July 11, 2022.
Although Firme's initial term ends on July 9, 2026, his reappointment extends his service until 2030, outlasting Marcos' presidency.
He is a professor of legal ethics and legal writing at various law schools, including the University of Santo Tomas and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Firme was a member of the JBC during the appointment of Associate Justice Raul Villanueva to the Supreme Court and Jesus Crispin Remulla as Ombudsman.
With Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo expected to retire in 2026, Firme is among the JBC members who will submit to the president the shortlist of candidates for the next Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The JBC is a constitutionally created body that recommends to the president a shortlist of appointees for vacancies in the Supreme Court, lower courts, the Legal Education Board, and the offices of the ombudsman, deputy ombudsman, and special prosecutor.
The body is composed of seven members, four of whom are regular members representing the Integrated Bar, the academe, the private sector, and retired members of the Supreme Court.
The three ex-officio members are the Secretary of the Department of Justice, a representative of Congress, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who also serves as the JBC's ex officio chair.