PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has appointed a Court of Appeals (CA) magistrate to the Supreme Court, replacing retired Associate Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo, Malacañang said yesterday.

Appellate court Associate Justice Rodil V. Zalameda, a law graduate of the Ateneo de Manila University, was appointed to the high court, Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea said in a mobile-phone message.

Mr. Zalameda, 56, bested five other nominees namely CA Justices Apolinario D. Bruselas, Jr., Japar B. Dimaampao, Ramon R. Garcia, and Jhosep Y. Lopez and Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez.

Mr. Zalameda served as a city prosecutor before his appointment to the appellate court in Sept. 11, 2008. Born in Aug. 2, 1963, he will sit as justice for 14 years before he retires in 2033.

Mr. Del Castillo, an appointee of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, retired on July 29 when turned 70. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

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