President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed retired Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Jose Mendoza to the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC).

Mendoza’s appointment filled the vacancy at the JBC. He was previously appointed to the JBC from 2017 to 2021 by former President Rodrigo Duterte, representing retired justices.

He took his oath of office before Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Friday. Gesmundo is the ex officio chairperson of the JBC.

The council’s mandate includes screening candidates for vacant positions in the Judicial branch of government. It also recommends qualified persons for judiciary posts.

Mendoza will take part in the selection process of new judges to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, and other courts across the country.

Mendoza served on the High Court from 2010 until his retirement in 2017.