MANILA, Philippines — The Judicial and Bar Council has opened applications for the next magistrate of the Supreme Court, following the unexpected early retirement of Associate Justice Priscilla Baltazar-Padilla. The JBC, which screens applicants to the Judiciary and Office of the Ombudsman, said applications may be filed until December 11. It did not provide other details relating to the SC justice and her early retirement. Her unexpected retirement opened another vacancy for President Rodrigo Duterte to fill. The next magistrate to take over Baltazar-Padilla’s seat will be the 11th Duterte appointee in the SC.

Source: Philippine Star November 11, 2020 09:33 UTC