SC REVAMPS 3 DIVISIONS

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has issued an order reorganizing the membership of its three divisions.

Special Order No. 2861, which will take effect on Friday, also designated the high court’s senior members as the division chairs.

The first division’s chair is Gesmundo, with Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin Caguioa as working chair. Its members are Associate Justices Amy Lazaro-Javier, Mario Lopez and Jhosep Lopez.

The second division is headed by Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe as chair, with Associate Justices Ramon Paul Hernando, Henri Jean Paul Inting, Samuel Gaerlan and Japar Dimaampao as members.

The third division is headed by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen with Associate Justices Rosmari Carandang, Rodil Zalameda, Ricardo Rosario and Jose Midas Marquez, the latest appointee to the tribunal, as members.

On Tuesday, President Duterte appointed Marquez as the newest member of the high court, ending several years of failed attempts to secure one of the 15 seats in the tribunal.

Marquez succeeded Associate Justice Edgardo de los Santos who retired in June.

At 55, Marquez is the second youngest member of the Supreme Court, next to Hernando who is six months younger.

The appointment brings to 12 the justices appointed by Mr. Duterte to the high tribunal, with Associate Justices Caguioa, Leonen and Perlas-Bernabe the remaining appointees of past administrations.

Marquez is also the sixth incumbent Ateneo Law School graduate in the high court, including Gesmundo.

Three others are from the University of the Philippines and one each from the Ateneo de Davao University, the University of Santo Tomas and the University of the East.

Prior to his new stint as the 192nd Supreme Court justice, Marquez served as the 14th court administrator.