President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. swore in newly-appointed Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Raul Villanueva in an oath-taking ceremony held Tuesday morning in Malacañang.
Villanueva was officially added in the roster of justices at the High Tribunal, replacing Justice Mario Lopez, who retired on June 4. News of Villanueva’s appointment was announced by Malacañang late Monday evening.
“We are very happy for this appointment because, as our new justice was saying and I was telling him, that it is a well-deserved appointment. He has a wealth of experience as a judge,” President Marcos said in his remarks at the ceremony.
“Since 2010, he has worked in the Supreme Court; therefore, he is well-versed in all that needs to be done for the proper and smooth function of the Court,” the President added, noting a “trend” that has been set to establish closer working relationship between Malacañang and the highest court.
Villanueva was among the nominees interviewed by the Judicial and Bar Council for the position last May 21. He is a seasoned legal professional, who began his career in the judicial system as regional trial court (RTC) judge for Las Piñas City’s Branch 255 in 2002.
He then served in the RTCs of Taguig City and Manila as acting presiding judge before his appointment as deputy court administrator in 2010 and court administrator in 2022. His experience in the Supreme Court also included serving in various regular and special committees.
“I know that the appointment of our new justice will continue the trend and bring the departments of government even closer than before, so that the function of government is smoother, better, and that we are unified in our goal to making life better for all Filipinos,” President Marcos emphasized.
Villanueva studied economics in college, graduating in 1985, then obtained a law degree from the University of the Philippines (UP) in 1990. He is also a professor at the Philippine Judicial Academy and vice-chairperson of its Court Management Department.
“Aside from expeditiously and efficiently discharging his judicial duties, he was actively involved in the Philippine Judges Association where he rose to become its Executive Vice President,” according to his profile on the website of UP Diliman.
Villanueva—who is in his early 60s—is a native of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated. Originally posted with the headline “Raul Villanueva is new Supreme Court Associate Justice—Palace.”
