Duterte nominates retired SC Justice Mendoza as JBC member

Mendoza, who retired from the SC upon turning 70 last August, will replace fellow retired SC Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez in the JBC. (Photo By The Supreme Court Public Information Office, Public Domain)

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte nominated retired Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Jose Mendoza as member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), the body tasked to screen applicants for positions in the Judiciary and Office of the Ombudsman.

Mendoza, who retired from the SC upon turning 70 last August, will replace fellow retired SC Associate Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez in the JBC.

“I am pleased to transmit the nomination letter of Mr. Jose Catral Mendoza, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte, as member, representing the Retired Justices of the Supreme Court, Judicial and Bar Council, Supreme Court of the Philippines, for a term expiring on 09 July 2021 vice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez,” read the letter signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea dated Oct. 4, 2017 but was made public Monday.

The JBC is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees to the President for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman.

The council is chaired by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, with ex-officio members, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, along with the legislative branch namely Sen. Richard Gordon and Mindoro Oriental Rep. Reynaldo Umali, who shall have a term sharing seat in the JBC.

President Duterte is expected to appoint at least 11 Associate Justices in the SC during his six-year term.