Palace appoints 12 new judges
President Aquino has appointed 12 new judges for Quezon City, Pasay City, Manila, Las Piñas, Pasig City, La Union, Agusan Del Sur, and Isabela to fill the vacancies in the regional trial courts there.
Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. transmitted the appointment papers of the 12 new judges in two separate letters to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.
“I am pleased to transmit herewith the appointment letters of the following signed by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III,” the letters signed by Ochoa said.
In the latest transmittal letter of Malacañang with the SC, dated May 6, 2015, the new appointees in Quezon City are: RTC Branch 82 Judge Lyn C. Ebora-Cacha, RTC Branch 98 Judge Marilou D. Runes - Tamang, RTC Branch 228 Judge Mitushealla R. Manzanero-Casino, RTC Branch 229 Judge Cleto R. Villacorta and Maria Gilda T. Loja-Pangilinan.
In the earlier transmittal with the SC, dated April 8,
2015 released only recently, the new appointees are: Pasig RTC Judge Elma Mendoza Rafallo-Lingan, Pasay City RTC Judge Rowena Nieves Adena Tan, Manila RTC Judge Ana Marie Train Mas, Las Pinas RTC Judge Phoeve Castillo Meer.
For the provinces, the new appointees are: Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur RTC Branch 6 Judge Kimal Mustapha Salacop, Municipal Trial Court Judge Debbie Gamotin Dulas-Del Val for Naguillan, La Union, and MCTC Cordon-Dinapigue, Isabela Judge Norbert Bong Sabio Obedoza.
The appointees were screened by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) prior to their appointments.
The seven-man council, 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, is chaired by Chief Justice Sereno. The ex-officio members are Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas, and Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
Retired SC Justice Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez is the head of the executive committee and represents the retired SC Justice sector. Lawyer Jose Mejia, representing the academe, retired Court of Appeals Justice Aurora Santiago-Lagman, representing the private sector, and lawyer Milagros Fernan-Cayosa from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines are the other regular members of the JBC.