11 vie for one of 2 vacant seats at SC

A fraternity brother of President Duterte and 10 others are vying for one of the two vacancies in the Supreme Court, the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) said on Friday. The JBC said poll commissioner Antonio Kho Jr. was among those who applied for the post vacated by retired Associate Justice Edgardo delos Santos, whose early retirement became effective on June 30. The Constitution mandates the President to fill the vacancy in the 15-member tribunal within 90 days. Both Mr. Duterte and Kho belong to the Lex Talionis fraternity at San Beda College. Also vyying for the post are Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Geraldine Faith Econg, Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez and Deputy Court Administrator Raul Villanueva. Other aspirants include Court of Appeals Associate Justices Apolinario Bruselas Jr., Ramon Cruz, Japar Dimaampao, Ronaldo Roberto Martin and Maria Filomena Singh, and Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko.