With the appointment of Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, the Supreme Court (SC) reorganized on Thursday, Nov. 18, the memberships in its three divisions composed of five justices each.
As reorganized, the first division is composed of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo as chairperson; 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, Samuel H. Gaerlan, and Japar B. Dimaampao as members.
The third division is headed by Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen with Associate Justices Rosmari D. Carandang, Rodil V. Zalameda, Ricardo R. Rosario, and Marquez as members.
The reorganization was mandated in Special Order No. 2861 issued by Chief Justice Gesmundo.
The SC meets as a full court on Tuesdays, while its divisions meet Mondays and Wednesdays.
Under the rules, Chief Justice Gesmundo can call special sessions in the full court and three divisions when urgent matters require.
There will be a vacancy in the 15-member SC with the retirement in January 2022 of Associate Justice Carandang when she turns 70, the mandatory retirement age for members of the judiciary.
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) – the constitutional office that accepts, screens and nominates appointments to the judiciary – has opened the applications or nominations to Carandang’s post.