JBC releases shortlist of nominees to SC associate justice post

SC administrator Midas Marquez included

By Moira Encina
Eagle News Service

The Judicial and Bar Council on Monday, Oct. 1, released its list of nominees to the associate justice post left vacant by now-Ombudsman Samuel Martires in the Supreme Court.

Leading the list were Court of Appeals Justices Japar Dimaampao at Ramon Garcia with six votes each; CA Justices Manuel Barrios, Apolinario Bruselas Jr.  and Rosmari Carandang with five votes each;  and CA Justices Edgardo delos Santos, Ramon Paul Hernando, Amy Lazaro-Javier and Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, with four votes each.

Earlier, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte expressed opposition to Marquez’s application, saying he had been trying to convince complainants to junk the case filed against the Davao mayor for punching a sheriff a few years back.

Marquez denied the allegations, saying he believed his credentials could stand on their own but that  he could not stop his own friends from doing favors for him.

The shortlist will be submitted to Malacañang.

The President has 90 days from the time the post was left vacant to choose from the list.