Newest SC justice takes oath

MANILA, Philippines — Court of Appeals (CA) Justice Rodil Zalameda was sworn in as the newest magistrate of the Supreme Court (SC) yesterday afternoon.

Zalameda was accompanied by his wife Ma. Vilma Amor and son Jasper Rodil II when he took his oath before Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin at the SC session hall.

In a statement, the SC said that Zalameda’s appointment completes its 15-member roster.

The 56-year-old Zalameda is the 10th SC associate justice appointed by President Duterte. However, if Chief Justice Bersamin and former Chief Justice Teresita de Castro’s appointments would also be counted, Zalameda would be the 12th justice appointed by the President to the SC.

Zalameda obtained his law degree from Ateneo de Manila University in 1987.

After passing the Bar examinations in 1988, he joined the judiciary as a branch clerk in Makati. He engaged in private practice for five years before returning to government service and rising as city prosecutor in Mandaluyong in 2002.

In 2008, Zalameda was appointed CA associate justice. Duterte appointed him to the SC to replace  Justice Mariano del Castillo, who retired last month.