MANILA, Philippines — Justice Samuel Gaerlan of the Court of Appeals has been appointed by President Duterte to the Supreme Court.

His appointment completed the 15-man high court as he filled up the seat left vacant by Diosdado Peralta who was named Chief Justice last year.

Like the President, Gaerlan is a graduate of San Beda College of Law and a professor at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

Gaerlan also had stints as Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) lawyer before he entered the judiciary as a trial court judge.

Before his appointment to the high court, the Judicial and Bar Council shortlisted six names which were vetted for the post.

These were CA Justices Ramon Garcia, Jhoseph Lopez,  Manuel Barrios, and Eduardo Peralta, and finally, Gaerlan. (JGo/CurrentPH.com)