There are 655 vacant posts for judges in trial courts nationwide, from the Shari’a circuit courts to the Regional Trial Courts (RTCs).
The number decreased from 675 vacancies as of last Dec. 31 with the recent appointments by President Duterte of 20 trial court judges.
Data released by the Supreme Court (SC) Public Information Office (PIO) showed that there are 280 vacant posts in RTCs, 60 in family courts (also RTCs), 55 in Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTCs), 56 in Municipal Trial Courts in Cities (MTCCs), 84 in Municipal Trial Courts (MTCs), 84 in Municipal Circuit Trial Courts (MCTCs), four in Shari’a district courts, and 32 in Shari’a circuit courts.
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has opened up applications and nominations to many of the existing vacant positions. It has yet to come out with its official nominations for submission to President Duterte for appointment.
The JBC is the constitutional office that accepts, screens, and nominates appointments to the Judiciary. It is headed by Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta.