Judicial and Bar Council Now Accepting Applications for Sandiganbayan and Court of Tax Appeals Associate Justice Positions

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) has officially opened the application and recommendation process for two associate justice vacancies—one at the Sandiganbayan and another at the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA).

The Sandiganbayan vacancy arose on September 1 following the appointment of Associate Justice Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta as court administrator. In her new role, she oversees the Supreme Court's administrative supervision of all lower courts nationwide.

Meanwhile, the associate justice seat at the CTA will become vacant on January 2, 2026, due to the compulsory retirement of Associate Justice Catherine T. Manahan.

As a constitutional body, the JBC is responsible for accepting, vetting, and nominating qualified candidates for positions in the judiciary, the Office of the Ombudsman and its deputies, and the Legal Education Board. The council is chaired ex officio by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.

Interested applicants and nominators have until January 12, 2026, to submit their materials through the JBC's Online Recommending and Application System (O.R.A.S.) accessible at www.portal.judiciary.gov.ph.

JBC ex officio secretary and Supreme Court Clerk of Court, Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas, urged candidates with existing JBC O.R.A.S. profiles to update their information and complete any additional required fields. She also clarified that applicant qualifications will be evaluated based on their status as of the application date.