JBC to interview bets for CA post

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) yesterday announced it would start interviewing candidates to replace Court of Appeals Associate Justice Francisco Acosta.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes earlier alleged Acosta and CA Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr. received P25 million each to stop the Office of the Ombudsman’s suspension order against former Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay Jr. in 2015.

The two CA justices denied the allegations and lashed back at Trillanes for attempting to intimidate members of the judiciary.

The JBC has lined up 23 candidates to be interviewed as they look for a suitable replacement for Acosta and Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Roland Jurado, whose optional retirement was approved last Feb. 1.

The JBC will conduct a public panel interview at the Supreme Court (SC) from March 1 to 3.

On March 1, the JBC will interview Regional Trial Court judges Raymond Reynold Lauigan of Tuguegarao City; Emmanuel Pasal of Cagayan de Oro City; Loida Posadas-Kahulugan of Bansalan, Davao del Sur; Raquelen Abary-Vasquez of Pasay City; Philip Aguinaldo of Muntinlupa City; Maria Cancino-Erum of Mandaluyong City; and Panabo City Executive Judge Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga.

Those lined up for interview on March 2 are RTC judges Liwliwa Hidalgo-Bucu of Manila; Catherine Manodon of Quezon City; Ma. Celestina Cruz-Mangrobang of Manila; Victoria Fernandez-Bernardo of Malolos, Bulacan; Maryann Corpuz- Manalac of Makati City; Rosalyn Mislos- Loja of

Manila; Rosanna Fe Romero-Maglaya of Quezon City; and Office of the Ombudsman director Bayani Jacinto.

The candidates scheduled for interview on the third day are RTC judges Acerey Pacheco of Marikina City; Tita Marilyn Payoyo-Villordon of Quezon City; Aida Macapagal of Parañaque City; Silvino Pampilo of Manila; and Benjamin Pozon of Makati City; along with Walter Ong; Rodolfo Noel Quimbo.

There are 32 other contenders for the judicial positions who have been previously interviewed by the JBC.