President Marcos has reappointed former Supreme Court (SC) associate justice Jose Mendoza to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), the body responsible for screening and nominating candidates for vacancies in the judiciary.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed Mendoza’s reappointment yesterday.
According to his appointment paper, Mendoza will represent retired SC justices in the JBC until July 9, 2029.
Mendoza first assumed his JBC post in July, but his ad interim appointment was deferred by the Commission on Appointments (CA) on Oct. 7.
Earlier this month, Senators Imee Marcos and Rodante Marcoleta questioned Mendoza over his handling of former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla’s inclusion in the JBC’s shortlist for the ombudsman position despite Remulla having pending cases.
Mendoza retired from the Supreme Court in August 2017 and was later appointed to the JBC by then president Rodrigo Duterte in October of the same year.
The JBC plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of the judiciary by preparing the shortlist of nominees from which the president selects appointees to the courts and constitutional bodies such as the Office of the Ombudsman.
