SC staff among new judges in Metro

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed 17 new judges to the Metropolitan Trial Courts (MeTC) of the cities of Manila, Makati, Mandaluyong, Pasay and Pasig.

The list of appointees was contained in a transmittal letter of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to then-Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno dated January 5, 2018, but was transmitted only on September 11, 2018 to the office of current Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro.

Topping the list of appointees were Judge Karla Funtila- Abugan of MeTC Branch 17 of Manila and Judge Catherine Manzano who was appointed MeTC Judge of Makati City Branch 126.

Abugan and Manzano are the current chiefs of staff of SC associate justices Lucas Bersamin and Marvic Leonen, respectively.

Also appointed to the Manila Court were Jose Cordero Jr. under Branch 11; Richelle Lou Boling Sanchez, Branch 29; and Grace Maria Theresa Bambi delos Reyes-Jurado, Branch 30.

Appointed to the Makati Court were Judges Melinda Cielo Mendoza under MeTC Branch 125; Clemente M. Clemente, Branch 127; Maureen Rubio-Marquez, Branch 128; Alexius Tang, Branch 129; Lorelei BalansayTapia, Branch 130.

In Mandaluyong City MeTC, appointed were judges Karyn Lee-Tribaco under Branch 100 and Earl Warren Castillo under Branch 101.

In Pasig City MeTC, appointed were judges Fredelyne Addug- Sanchez, Branch 68; Jesusa Lapuz- Gaudiano, Branch 153; Emilio Gonzales 3rd, Branch 154; and Theresa Dizon, Branch 155.

In Pasay City, the lone appointee was MeTC Branch 46 Judge Rechie Ramos-Malabanan.

The appointees were nominated by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), which is constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees to the President for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman.

The JBC is chaired by de Castro, with ex- officio members, Sen. Richard Gordon, and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador Leachon and Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.