Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) – President Rodrigo Duterte named two new associate justices of the Court of Appeals, Malacañang confirmed on Thursday.
Associate Justices Eleuterio Larisma Bathan and John Zurbito Lee are the newest members of the appellate court, replacing Japar Dimaampao who was appointed associate justice of the Supreme Court last September, and Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga who resigned in November, respectively.
In a statement, acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar extended the Palace’s congratulations to the two.
“We wish both Associate Justices all the best, and we are confident that they would dispense justice with fairness, impartiality and integrity,” he said.
Bathan served as a judge in a regional trial court in Quezon City and in Batangas, while Lee had been previously shortlisted for the associate justice post.
The Court of Appeals is the second highest tribunal in the country. It is composed of one presiding judge and 68 associate justices, all of whom are appointed by the President from a shortlist submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council.
