Endorsement: Retain Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, Supreme Court and appeals justices: Retain Justice Juan Francisco “Paco” Perillo (a native of Aguadilla) of Puerto Rico to a permanent justice position and fill up the vacant appeals court seats in the federal court system,” wrote the president.
The president also called Perillo to the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and suggested naming a judge to the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
The president said he would appoint a judge to the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and a judge to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
The government has requested the resignations from the chief justice of the Commonwealth Supreme Court and the Supreme Court. The administration will seek approval from the U.S. Senate and the governor to name the candidates.
Puerto Rico’s $72 Billion Dollar Puerto Rico Oversight, Management and Accountability Act (PROMESA) was enacted by Congress on July 1, 2016, and took effect on January 13, 2017. It gives the president the authority to appoint up to three judges to the Puerto Rico Supreme Court, the Commonwealth Court of Justice, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and up to six judges to the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
The legislation was passed amid political turmoil and corruption scandals in Puerto Rico. The administration of Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla (AP) had come under fire after it came to light that the government was spending millions on travel and accommodations expenses that were not being adequately reimbursed to the government.
The Commonwealth Law 100 Law, which was enacted by Congress on July 30, 2016 and took effect on September 16, 2012, also gave the president the authority to appoint up to three judges to the Commonwealth Supreme Court, the Commonwealth Court of Justice, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, six judges to the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, and up to 12 judges to the U
