by Aira Julie F. Gianan
Former San Beda University-College of Law professor and Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Japar Babay Dimaampao was appointed Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice last September 14.
A native of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, Justice Dimaampao became the second Muslim Justice to occupy a post at the SC. Former Justice Abdulwahid Bidin was the first Muslim in the High Court as appointed by President Corazon Aquino in 1987.
Justice Dimaampao filled the post vacated by now Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo.
The new SC magistrate is a Certified Public Accountant, renowned author, bar reviewer, and professor in Taxation Law, Civil Law, Commercial Law, Shariโah, and Islamic Jurisprudence in various law schools, including San Beda University, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, De La Salle University, and Pamantasan Ng Lungsod ng Maynila, among others.
He served as the 2013 and 2016 Bar Examiner for Civil Law and 2019 Bar Examiner in Taxation. He was also the 2006 Shariโah Bar Examiner on Succession, Wills, Adjudication and Settlement of Estate and was the Chairperson of the 16th Special Shariโah Bar held in 2020.
He had been applying for the high tribunal post since 2010 and had consistently been included in the shortlist for SC Justices in past years.
Prior to his appointment to the SC, Justice Dimaampao has been a CA Justice for more than seventeen years and was the Chairperson of its Third Division. Appointed to the CA at age 40, he is considered the youngest Justice to occupy said position in the second-highest court of the land.
He was also a former prosecutor and a Regional Trial Court judge in Mandaluyong City.
Justice Dimaampao will serve the SC until 2033.
THE BARRISTER 