President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to name Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva as his first appointee to the Supreme Court (SC), replacing Justice Mario Lopez, who retired last 4 June after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

Villanueva’s anticipated appointment marks Marcos’ initial opportunity to shape the composition of the 15-member High Court, which is poised to rule on significant legal and constitutional challenges in the coming years.

With over two decades of distinguished service in the judiciary, Villanueva has built a reputation as both a meticulous jurist and an effective administrator.

A native of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, he holds economics (1985) and law (1990) degrees from the University of the Philippines Diliman.

Villanueva’s judicial career began in 2002 as Presiding Judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 255 in Las Piñas City. He later held key leadership positions, including executive judge of the Las Piñas RTC and executive vice president of the Philippine Judges Association.