THE Palace announced on Friday that a Court of Appeals (CA) Justice has been appointed as a new justice for the Supreme Court (SC).
In a Malacañang document dated August 9, CA Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr. has been “appointed associate justice, Supreme Court of the Philippines, vice Presbitero J. Velasco Jr.”
Mr. Reyes will take the seat of Mr. Velasco, who retired last August 7 when he reached 70 years old, the mandatory retirement age for members of the high court.
Mr. Reyes was born in September 18, 1950 and will turn 68 years old this year. He will hold his post as the High Court’s Associate Justice until 2020.
Mr. Reyes applied for the position of Associate Justice twice in the past: in 2012 and 2014. This time, he bested other candidates in the shortlist which included Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, who was recommended by Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno.
Other nominees for associate justice were CA Justices Amy Lazaro-Javier, Rosmari D. Carandang, Apolinario D. Bruselas Jr., Ramon R. Garcia, Ramon Paul L. Hernando; and former Law Dean of Ateneo Law School Cesar L. Villanueva.
Prior to working in the CA, he worked for the Pasig City Metropolitan Trial Court and Rizal Regional Trial Court. He also took his law degree at San Beda College, which was also the alma matter of President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Mr. Reyes is the fifth appointee of the president to the High Court ever since Mr. Duterte became President in 2016.
Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” T. Go said in a text message to reporters on Friday that Mr. Reyes will have his oath taking on Monday, August 13. — Gillian M. Cortez

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