The Supreme Court (SC) has re-organized the membership in its three divisions in a special order issued by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo
As re-organized effective last July 15, the SC’s first division is composed of Chief Justice Gesmundo as chairperson with Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa as working chairperson and Associate Justices Amy C. Lazaro Javier, Mario V. Lopez and Jhosep Y. Lopez as members.
The second division is headed by Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas Bernabe as chairperson with Associate Justices Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting and Samuel H. Gaerlan as members, and Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario as additional member to complete the division membership of five justices each.
The third division is composed of Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen as chairperson with Associate Justices Rosmari D. Carandang, Rodil V. Zalameda and Rosario as members. Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez is the additional member.
As of July 16, there are only 13 incumbent justices in the 15-member SC.
Vacant posts are those left by Gesmundo when he was appointed Chief Justice last April 5 and that left by Associate Justice Edgardo L. Delos Santos who opted for early retirement last June 30.
The divisions hold sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays. As a full court, the SC conducts sessions on Tuesdays.
Under the rules, Chief Justice Gesmundo can call special sessions when they are needed to tackle urgent cases.