JBC opens application for SC magistrate post

“All incomplete applications and/or out-of-date documentary requirements and those submitted beyond the deadline shall not be given due course,” the JBC added. (File Photo By Supreme Court of the Philippines/Wikimedia, Public Domain)

MANILA — The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened the application for Associate Justice post in the Supreme Court following the appointment of Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro on August 25.

In an announcement posted on the JBC website on Friday, SC Clerk of Court and JBC Ex Officio Secretary Edgar Aricheta said, “Interested applicants shall submit two complete sets of application or recommendation with conforme, together with all the documentary requirements to the JBC Office, 2nd Floor, Centennial building, Supreme Court, Padre Faura, Manila, not later than 4:30 p.m. of 1 October 2018.”

The date of actual receipt by the JBC of the complete documentary requirements shall be deemed as the date of filing. The qualification of applicants shall be reckoned from the said deadline.

“All incomplete applications and/or out-of-date documentary requirements and those submitted beyond the deadline shall not be given due course,” the JBC added.

Those who would send their applications and documentary requirements through courier should make sure that their submissions are complete and updated.

It also informed the applicants that the Council is “under no obligation to advise the applicants if they have incomplete and/or out of date documentary requirements.”

In the JBC’s “general guidelines”, the applicants were told that if their application would be filed by a representative or agent, an authorization letter, together with a photocopy of the representative’s government-issued identification card, must be submitted.

Among the documentary requirements are their sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth (SALN) for the last 10 years.

For those who are currently in government service, all SALNs for the past 10 years must be submitted. While those who have been with government for less than 10 years, they would only have to submit for the years they were working in government.

While those currently employed in the private sector but were in government service within the past 10 years, they are required to submit their SALNs for those years they were working in government.

As for those applicants from the private sector, who have never served in government, they only have to submit their SALN as of Dec. 31, 2017.

The issue on the non-filing of some of her SALNs was one of the issues raised against ousted SC Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno during the hearing of the quo warranto petition filed against her by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

De Castro technically became the first female Chief Justice and the 24th top magistrate of the High Court, after the appointment of her predecessor ousted SC Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was found to have been invalid.

Last Friday, de Castro was accompanied by her family during her oath-taking before the President at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace.

Officials present during the ceremony were Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque Jr., Solicitor General Jose Calida, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, and Senator Richard Gordon.

De Castro, who would retire on Oct. 8, would only lead the SC for less than two months.

Prior to her appointment as SC Associate Justice in December 2007, de Castro served as Presiding Justice of the Sandiganbayan.

At present, there are only 13 justices in the 15-member High Court.

The two associate justice posts became vacant when de Castro was named Chief Justice and retired Associate Justice Samuel R. Martires was appointed as Ombudsman.