MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss Gregory Ong as associate justice of the Sandiganbayan, and reiterated its support for judicial reform.
With the dismissal of Ong, Associate Justice Jose Hernandez will take over as acting chairman of the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division.
“We share the advocacy of the Chief Justice, as well as the other justices, who would like to further advance judicial reform by improving the current system and investigating allegations of judicial misconduct,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
Hernandez is the most senior justice in the Fourth Division next to Ong.
A “warm body” will fill in the spot temporarily vacated by Hernandez, said Sandiganbayan spokesperson Renato Bocar.
He said there would only be a permanent vacancy in Hernandez’s position if the SC decides against an appeal to be possibly filed by Ong.
According to Bocar, Associate Justice Alex Quiroz of the Third Division will take over Hernandez’s post in the event of a permanent vacancy. Reinir Padua, Alexis Romero