Court of Appeals justice named to Supreme Court

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo has appointed Court of Appeals (CA) Senior Associate Justice Jose Mendoza to the Supreme Court (SC), filling the vacancy left by Associate Justice Minita Chico-Nazario who retired last Dec. 5.

Mendoza, 62, took his oath as the 168th magistrate of the high court before Chief Justice Reynato Puno yesterday.

With Mendoza’s appointment, all 15 seats of the SC have been filled. The next vacancy in the High Tribunal would be in May when Puno retires.

Before Mendoza, the President appointed SC Court Administrator Jose Perez on Dec. 24, taking the post vacated by Senior Associate Justice Leonardo Quisumbing who retired last Nov. 6.

Other nominees submitted to the Palace by the Judicial and Bar Council last Nov. 23 for the two vacant posts were: CA Senior Associate Justices Hakim Abdulwahid, Magdangal de Leon and Noel Tijam, and Sandiganbayan Justice Francisco Villaruz.

Mendoza became known for issuing writs of amparo and writs of habeas corpus sought by the families of UP students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, who were allegedly abducted by members of the military in 2006.

He is also the CA justice who reversed a decision of a trial court junking charges against businessman Dante Tan, an ally of deposed President Joseph Estrada, who was implicated in a stock manipulation controversy.

Mendoza obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Philippines in 1967 and completed his Bachelor of Laws from San Beda College of Law in 1971.

In 1977, Mendoza joined the judiciary as a senior research attorney in the Court of Appeals. Three years later, he went into private practice as an associate in the Alampay Alvero & Alampay Law Office.

Mendoza rejoined the judiciary in 1985 when Justice Nestor Alampay was promoted to the Supreme Court. After Alampay retired, he worked for Justice Abdulwahid Bidin, the first Muslim SC justice.

In 1989, Mendoza was appointed presiding judge of Sta. Cruz, Laguna regional trial court Branch 26. After two years, he became the station’s executive judge.

In 1994, Mendoza was transferred to the Quezon City regional trial court Branch 219 where he handled heinous crimes.

In 2003, he became the station’s executive judge.

On July 4, 2003, after almost 15 years as an RTC judge, Mendoza took his oath as an associate justice of the CA.

Mendoza’s appointment to the SC would also create a vacancy in the CA with the retirement today of Presiding Justice Conrado Vasquez Jr.

Since Mrs. Arroyo has yet to appoint Mendoza’s replacement, Associate Justice Portia Alino Hormachuelos, the next most senior magistrate of the appellate court, will serve as acting presiding justice until Malacañang makes another appointment.