Gordon hails Dimaampao's appointment to SC

Senator Richard J. Gordon today welcomed the appointment of Court of Appeals Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao to become the second Muslim justice to sit in the Supreme Court (SC).

Gordon, an ex-officio member of the Judicial and Bar Council, said he welcomes Dimaampao's appointment which was overwhelmingly endorsed by the Muslim communities in the country.

"I'm elated with the appointment of another Muslim to the Supreme Court. It has been more than three decades since the High Tribunal had a justice from Muslim Mindanao," he said.

"I have no doubt that Dimaampao will surely give an equal and fair representation of the Muslim community in the judiciary and strengthen the institution of our sharia justice system in the country," he added.

Dimaampao is a known expert in taxation, commercial and civil law, and has been pushing for the organization of a sharia appellate court across the country and the enrichment of jurisprudence on sharia law.

As a law professor and bar reviewer in law universities and review centers in Manila, he is also very knowledgeable with the Philippine Islamic law and the intricacies of the Moro's legal ways as well as its related customs and traditions.

Dimaampao was the youngest associate justice ever appointed to the CA which he later on served for 15 years. He is considered as the second Muslim ever appointed in the High Tribunal, the first one was Associate Justice Abdulwahid Bidin in 1987.

"His appointment reflects the inclusivity and diversity of our society on the judiciary, notably on the Supreme Court. He's very experienced on very complicated legal issues that impact on the everyday lives of Filipino Muslims," Gordon said.

With his latest appointment, he replaced former justice Mariano del Castillo who recently retired last July 29.