Duterte appoints CA, CTA justices

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed associate justices of the Court of Appeals (CA) and the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).

The appointments were contained in transmittal letters sent by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, dated May 20, but was sent by Malacañang to the Supreme Court on August 26.

Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Alfonso Carbonel Ruiz 2nd and Associate Dean Marian Ivy Ferrer Reyes-Fajardo were named as CA and CTA justices, respectively.

Ruiz took the post vacated by Justice Mario Lopez who was appointed to the Supreme Court.

He studied BS Biology at the University of Santo Tomas from 1987 to 1991 and Bachelor of Laws from 1993 to 1996.

Prior to his designation as CA magistrate, Ruiz was presiding judge of the Quezon City RTC Branch 216.

Ruiz is the son of the late Sarrat, Ilocos Norte mayor Alfonso Ruiz Sr. and brother of veteran TV reporter Jay Ruiz.

Meanwhile, Fajardo, at 46, is the youngest justice named to the CTA.

She succeeded Esperanza Fabon-Victorino.

Fajardo is the associate dean of the College of Law of the Philippine Christian University and is also a professor in various law schools.

She is a member of the Asean Law Association, Philippine Bar Association, International Bar Association, INSOL International in London, a worldwide federation of national associations accountants and lawyers on insolvency.