Manila: The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) on Monday announced it has submitted to Malaca±ang the shortlist of nominees for vacant associate justice positions in the Sandiganbayan and Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).
According to Philippines News Agency, following en banc deliberations, the JBC produced a shortlist consisting of 24 aspirants for the CTA associate justice post. This vacancy arose after the retirement of Associate Justice Catherine Manahan in January. The candidates vying for the CTA seat include Marion Agaceta, Salex Alibogha, Bernard Bernal, Maria Rosario Bernardo, Romeo Buenaventura, Debbie Jean Dijamco, Anthony Fama, Vicky Fernandez, Allan Gepty, Josephine Gomez, Marie Grace Ibay, Catherine Monsod, Ethel Gutay, Jose Carlito Montenegro, Lily Ann Paden, Jose Marie Quimboy, Jean Francois Rivera III, Romeo Tagra, Teofilo Tambago, Paolo Teston, Clifford Torralba, Nenita Tuazon, Myla Olan, and Virginia Viray.
The JBC also released a shortlist of 23 candidates for the Sandiganbayan associate justice post, which became vacant following the appointment of Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta as Court Administrator in September 2025. The nominees for this position include Jorge John Aganan, Janice Udarbe, Cresencio Aspiras Jr., Julia Abad, Mariam Bien, Cecilyn Villavert, Redentor Cardenas, Mila Perpetua Lauigan, Ronald Chua, Ira Fritzie Rojo, Lyn Chua Cacha, Madonna Echiverri, Burt Estrada, Dorcas Perez, Michael Francisco, Maria Luisa Lesle Betic, Rafael Hipolito, Rosalia Bunagan, Rosario Elena Cuevas, Melissa Rodriguez, Ma. Christina Lim, Charito Sawali, and Virgilio Macaraig.
Members of the judiciary are appointed by the President based on the list submitted by the JBC.
