PRESIDENT Duterte appointed Court of Appeals Justice Samuel Gaerlan, a fellow Bedan, as the newest associate justice of the Supreme Court, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and concurrent presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday.
Gaerlan, an alumnus of the San Beda College of Law like the President, takes over the post vacated by the appointment of Diosdado Peralta as chief justice last October.
Panelo said Gaerlan, like the other Duterte appointees in the judiciary, was chosen for his competence and integrity.
A letter dated January 8 from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to Peralta transmitting the appointment letter of Gaerlan was provided to reporters covering the justice beat.
“Pursuant to the provision of existing laws, you are hereby appointed Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the Philippines, vice Diosdado Peralta,” the one-page appointment letter said.
“By virtue hereof, you may qualify and enter upon the performance of the duties of the office, furnishing this office and the Civil Service Commission with copies of your oath of office,”’ it added.
Gaerlan, who will complete the 15-man tribunal, spent 26 years in the judiciary starting as municipal trial court judge in La Union for eight years and then as regional trial court judge for another eight years before joining the appellate court.
He graduated from San Beda College of Law. He also served as professor of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Manila.
The Judicial and Bar Council had earlier shortlisted six names that were vetted for Peralta’s post. — With Ashzel Hachero
