JBC to interview Teehankee son for vacant Supreme Court post

MANILA, Philippines - A son of the late Chief Justice Claudio Teehankee and three others will be interviewed by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Sept. 23 regarding their application to replace Supreme Court Associate Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, who will retire on Oct. 5, the SC said yesterday.

Ambassador Manuel Teehankee is presently Philippine representative to the World Trade Organization.

The three others are Court of Appeals Justices Isaias Dicdican and Noel Tijam, and lawyer Eduardo Lizares.

The SC said Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera and lawyer Rodolfo Robles remain as applicants.

Applicants interviewed by the JBC are CA Justices Hakim Abdulwahid, Ruben Ayson, Japar Dimaampao, Juan Enriquez Jr., Remedios Salazar-Fernando, Portia Aliño-Hormachuelos, Amelita Tolentino and Martin Villarama Jr.; Sandiganbayan Justice Francisco Villaruz Jr.; and Assistant Solicitor General Amparo Cabotaje-Tang.

The SC said Abdulwahid, Villarama, Villaruz and Robles were in the shortlist submitted to Malacañang by the JBC.

Associate Justices Leonardo Quisumbing and Minita Chico-Nazario are due to retire on Nov. 6 and Dec. 5.

Under the Constitution, the President has 90 days from the date of retirement to fill up the post.

The JBC is a constitutional body that receives and screens nominations for judicial posts, as well as nominations for ombudsman and deputy ombudsman.

The JBC’s ex-officio members are Devanadera, Sen. Francis Escudero and Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor.

Its regular members are retired SC Justice Regino Hermosisima, Dean Amado Dimayuga Jr., lawyer J. Conrado Castro, and retired CA Justice Aurora Lagman.