MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang announced Thursday the appointment of Maria Elisa Sempio-Diy as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals (CA), replacing Associate Justice Bienvenido Reyes, who had been appointed earlier by President Aquino to the Supreme Court (SC).

Sempio-Diy is the daughter of family law expert retired Justice Alicia Sempio-Diy. Sempio-Diy has a Bachelor’s degree in AB Psychology from the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and a Bachelor of Laws degree from San Beda College, ranking third in her graduating class.

Prior to her new appointment, she was the Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge in Quezon City, a post she occupied since 2005. She was also a Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) judge in Quezon City from 2001 to 2005.

Sempio-Diy assumes the post left by Justice Bienvenido Reyes, who was appointed by President Aquino to the Supreme Court in August, 2011.

Malacañang likewise announced the appointment of Carmelo Santiago as a member of the Board of Directors representing foreign investors in the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) for a term expiring on June 16, 2014.