Newly appointed Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Maria Filomena D. Singh took her oath of office on Wednesday early evening, May 18, before Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo at the SC’s session hall.
Justice Singh took over the post vacated by Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas Bernabe who retired last May 14. Her appointment completed the membership in the 15-justice SC.
She is expected to be assigned to the SC’s third division once Chief Justice Gesmundo issues the re-organization in the memberships of the High Court’s three divisions with five justices each.
With the retirement of Bernabe, Associate Justice Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen automatically assumes the post of senior associate justice and chairperson of the court’s second division.
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguio will be the chairperson of the third division while Associate Justice Ramon Paul L. Hernando will be the working chairperson of the first division.
The SC is on decision-writing period until June 10. It will resume its division sessions on June 13 and its full court sessions on June 14.