The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Jose P. Perez has been appointed as an Associate Justice in the Supreme Court of the Philippines. As part of a 15-person tribunal in the nation’s highest court, Perez achieves the distinction of being the first appointee to rise from within its ranks. "The appointment of Perez caps an illustrious career of 38 years in government service which started in the Supreme Court, was nurtured there, and by all indications, will end there," said court spokesperson Jose Midas Marquez.

Perez attended the University of the Philippines, where he became a member of Phi Kappa Phi. After finishing his law degree in 1972, he was appointed as a legal assistant in the Office of the Reporter, never left the country’s highest court and was promoted through the years, most recently serving as Court Administrator. In December 2009, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed Perez as the 167th justice to serve on the Supreme Court of the Philippines.

Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello, III, praised Ms. Arroyo for appointing Perez, saying he was a "home-grown" magistrate who exemplified competence and integrity. "He can be likened to a janitor who rose to the highest echelons of the judiciary. The President made a good choice," Bello said.

For more information, please see:
New SC justice completes rise through the ranks
A good choice, Palace says of new SC justice