Supreme Court associate justice seat opens for applications

APPLICATION is now open for the Supreme Court associate justice seat that will be vacated by Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, who will retire in May, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) announced on Tuesday.

Under the 2020 Revised Rules of the JBC, members of the High Court must be at least 40 years old and must have at least 15 years of experience practicing law in the Philippines. 

Applications can be submitted through JBC’s online application scheduler not later than March 29.

Ms. Perlas-Bernabe was appointed to the 15-member Supreme Court post on Sept. 16. 2011.

Meanwhile, the High Court said on Tuesday that it is increasing its operational capacity to at least 80% starting Feb. 16 as coronavirus cases decrease in Metro Manila. 

In-person filing of court cases and pleadings will be allowed starting Wednesday. — John Victor D. Ordoñez