MANILA (June 10) – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has appointed Supreme Court Court Administrator Raul Villanueva as the newest Associate Justice of the Supreme Court—his first appointment to the high tribunal.
Villanueva officially took his oath of office before the President in a ceremony held Tuesday at Malacañang. He replaces Associate Justice Mario Lopez, who retired on June 4.
Describing the appointment as “well deserved,” Marcos cited Villanueva’s extensive experience in the judiciary. Villanueva began his judicial career in 2022 as presiding judge of the Las Piñas City RTC Branch 255, and also served as acting presiding judge in Taguig City RTC Branch 267 and Manila RTC Branch 4.
“He is well-versed in all that needs to be done for the proper and smooth function of the court,” Marcos said in a brief statement. He also expressed confidence that Villanueva will help strengthen cooperation between the Supreme Court and the executive branch.
