Abranean Lucas Bersamin chosen as new Chief Justice by President Duterte

Photo Courtesy || Supreme Court of The Philippines & rappler

Cordillera - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has chosen Lucas Bersamin as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, according to a source from Malacanang on Wednesday. 

The news came after President Duterte said on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport,  that he has already chosen a new chief justice but did not reveal who he had chosen. 

The 69-year-old Bersamin is a native of Bangued, Abra, a brother of former Abra congressman Luis P. Bersamin.

Bersamin will replace Teresita Leonardo-De Castro who retired on October as the Chief Justice. 

Prior to his new appointment, Bersamin served as a trial court judge and appellate court magistrate before being appointed to the Supreme Court in 2009. He also served as a presiding judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 96 in 1986.

He was also appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the High Court in 2009. 

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Bersamin studied law at the University of the East in 1973 and place top 9th in the Bar Examinations of the same year.

He was a recipient of the Judicial Excellence Award for Best Decision both in Civil Law and Criminal Law.