Ilongga judge who dismissed Trillanes’ coup raps dies

ILOILO CITY – City government officials and employees offered a minute of silence for former city councilor and Judge Ma. Rita Bascos Sarabia who succumbed to complications brought about by an infection on her exposed wounds Wednesday night.

Mayor Jose Espinosa III broke the news to city hall employees in his message after the regular flag-raising ceremony after he received the information from Sarabia’s son, Rex.

He said that Sarabia was supposed to undergo an emergency operation.

“We will make arrangements with the family because she is also our former councilor,” Espinosa said.

Sarabia was city councilor for two terms from 1998 to 2001 and from 2001 until 2004.

She was appointed as judge in a Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Negros Occidental. She also served as judge in Quezon City RTC and Makati City RTC.

One high-profile case she handled was the dismissal of the coup charges against Senator Antonio Trillanes in 2011 after he was granted an amnesty.

In his Facebook account Rex Sarabia said that six days ago his mother suffered second degree burns after their cooking gas tank exploded.

He said that her mother could be remembered as “a fiery champion of the poor who fought for their rights and welfare.”

“She fought to deliver justice in our society as a lawyer and a judge. This brave girl from Jaro, however, fought her last fight. For six agonizing days, she was a warrior to the last second,” he said.

Her wake will be at the GegatoAbecia Funeral Services in Balabago Jaro. The viewing will start December 29 and she will be buried on Jan. 5.

The judge Sarabia was married to lawyer Rene Sarabia. (PNA)