MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Samuel Martires as the 175th magistrate of the Supreme Court.
The 68-year-old Martires’s appointment was dated March 2 and was received by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno on Monday.
The high tribunal then welcomed Martires as its newest member.
“The Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court welcome the Hon. Samuel Martires as the Court's 175th Associate Justice and its newest member,” the SC PIO said in a released statement.
Martires considers his appointment a blessing.
"I hope the Lord will give me strength and health. I need a sound mind and body to help me in my work sa Supreme Court," he told reporters covering the Sandiganbayan.
Martires on expected pressures of job as SC Justice : I've been in lots of pressures. I just hope that Lord will guide me @PhilippineStar
— Elizabeth T. Marcelo (@marcelo_beth) March 6, 2017
Martires who initially wanted to apply for the post of ombudsman, previously served as an Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan.
He was interviewed by the Judicial Bar Council in November 2016.
During the interview, Martires agreed with the SC’s ruling on Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s plunder case and the late President Ferdinand Marcos burial. He however said he would have dissented on former Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile’s bail plea.
Martires is the first magistrate that Duterte has appointed to the SC. He replaces Associate Justice Jose Perez who retired last December 14.
Duterte has yet to appoint two more justices to replace Associate Justice Arturo Brion, who retired last December 14, and Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, who will retire on July 6.
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