MANILA – The Judicial and Bar Council has released its shortlist for the vacant post of associate justice in the Sandiganbayan.
Those on the shortlist are Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 141 Judge Mary Ann Corpus-Mañalac, Binangonan RTC Judge Dennis Patrick Perez, Tuguegarao RTC Judge Raymond Lauigan and Baguio RTC Judge Mia Joy Oallares-Cawed.
Two private lawyers are also on the list: Perpetuo Lucero and Walter Ong.
Judge Mañalac is the judge who ordered Sunvar Realty Corp. of the Prieto family to return to the government physical possession of the Mile Long Property in Makati, from which they are believed to have earned billions in lease contracts after developing the area over the past 30 years.
The Prietos are majority owners of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which has been critical of the Duterte administration, and the President has on several occasions called them out for their “hypocrisy” in refusing to comply with court orders after having benefited from a government property.
The government had won a long legal battle in its bid to re-take the Mile Long Property on Amorsolo Street in Makati City, after the original lease agreement with the Prietos had expired and the State refused to extend it.
The JBC is set to submit its shortlist for the Sandiganbayan nominees to the President soon.
The new appointee will take the post vacated by the late Associate Justice Maria Cristina Cornejo.
