SC names roving judges
The Supreme Court (SC) formally introduced on Tuesday 20 newly appointed Regional Trial Court (RTC) magistrates who will serve as roving or judges-at-large to address case backlogs.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo assigned them to various courts without assigned judges or those with overloaded dockets.
Gesmundo approved the assignments of the RTC judges-at-large on recommendations made by Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez, whose office supervises all lower courts for the SC.
The appointment of judges-at-large is provided for under Republic Act 11459 or the Judges-at-Large Act of 2019, which was signed into law by the President in August last year.
The law mandated the creation of 100 judges-at-large positions for RTC and 50 posts for Municipal Trial Courts (MTC).
President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed 40 judges-at-large so far. Last 14 July, the SC received the appointments of the 20 MTC judges-at-large.
Marquez has recommended the partial implementation of RA 11459 “since only 50 of the 150 positions were funded by Congress in the judiciary’s 2020 budget.”
He said the other 100 positions are expected to be funded in 2021 and thus the posts will be open for application when the funds are ready.
The 20 RTC roving judges and their assignments are as follows:
Eric Anthony Dumpilo, acting presiding judge, City of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; Caroline Payumo, assisting judge, Antipolo City; Donabel Breva Bobier, acting presiding judge, Sorsogon City;
Republic Act 11459 or the Judges-at-Large Act was signed into law by the President in August last year.
Benison Mahawan, assisting judge, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat; Ruben Sevillano Jr., assisting judge, Antipolo City; Manasseh Bastes, acting presiding judge, Calubian, Leyte; Adonis Laure, acting presiding judge, Carmen, Bohol;
Maria Cristina Rosario Osoteo, acting presiding judge, Antipolo City; Nimia Castillo Peralta, acting presiding judge, San Fernando City, La Union; Dennis Mendoza, acting presiding judge, Cabagan, Isabela;
Raymond Joseph Sorongon, assisting judge, Daet, Camarines Norte; Joel Bantasan, acting presiding judge, Iligan City, Isabela; Aaron Go, acting presiding judge, Hilongos, Leyte; Minnelli Rocio Carvajal, assisting judge, Tagaytay City; Mary Grace Bonsol Cabal, assisting judge, Cabuyao City;
Helen Magampon Maberit, acting presiding judge, Lucena City; Panfilo Sala Jr., acting presiding judge, Bago City; Leo Felix Domingo, acting presiding judge, Bayombong; Glenda Ortiz Soriano, acting presiding judge, La Trinidad, Benguet; and Rigor Pascual, acting presiding judge, Malolos City, Bulacan.
Appointed MTC judges-at-large were Eduardo Eric F. Adversario, Jason B. Alquiroz, Joy B. Bolivar, Marilex L. Cabading, Maria Celina S. Carungay Servillano, Charisma Naida S. Castillo Martin, Ruel H. Espaldon, Eric O. Labuguen, Carolyn de los Reyes Lorenzo Tanudtanud, Maria Rhodoro A. Malabag Peralta,
Charlene Clara G. Mendoza, Maria Monette F. Mesa, Ruben F. Mission V, Ma. Victoria Y. Patinio, Anthony Prince M. Tominez, Jesus G. Torres, Lady Ivy Vanity D. Velasco, Geronimo I. Ventura III, Michael Hanz D. Villaster and Mark Louie L. Zabala.