PNoy appoints 11 new judges in Metro Manila courts

Published May 29, 2015 4:04pm

(Updated 5:51 p.m.) President Benigno Aquino III has appointed 11 new judges for metropolitan trial courts (MeTC) in Quezon City, Manila, Caloocan, Makati, Pasay, and Pasig.

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr transmitted the names of the new appointees in a letter addressed to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“I am pleased to transmit herewith the appointment letter of the following signed by His Excellency, President Benigno Aquino III,” Ochoa said in his letter.

The newly appointed judges are:

Judge Maria Lorenza Barias-Sosana - MeTC Branch 49 Caloocan
Judge Juliet Azarraga-Chonyongco - MeTC Branch 53 Caloocan
Judge Nino Delvin Embuscado - MeTC Branch 66 Makati
Judge Michelle Divina-DelfinDelfin - MeTC Branch 8 Manila
Judge Minerva Alejandra-Bautista - MeTC Branch 16 Manila
Judge Paul Flor - MeTC Branch 20 Manila
Judge Remebel Unica Mondia - MeTC Branch 45 Pasay
Judge Rolando de Guzman Jr - MeTC Branch 72 Pasig
Judge Maria Ella Cecilia Dumlao-Escalante - MeTC Branch 35 QC
Judge John Boomsri Rodolfo - MeTC Branch 38 QC
Judge Don Ace Mariano Alagar - MeTC Branch 43 QC.

Embuscado is the son-in-law of SC Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin, while Chonyongco works in Bersamin's office. Escalante, meanwhile, is a law professor who works as chief of staff of Court of Appeals Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao before her appointment.

The Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 (Batas Pambansa 129) gives METCs, as well as the Municipal Trial Courts, and Municipal Circuit Trial Courts, the exclusive original jurisdiction over cases of forcible entry and unlawful detainer.

They may also hear and decide petitions for a writ of habeas corpus or applications for bail in criminal cases in the province or city In the absence of all the regional trial judges.

These lower courts also have exclusive original jurisdiction in all civil actions involving real properties with an assessed value of P20,000 or lower; as well as civil actions in Metro Manila where assessed value is P50,000 or below.

They also have jurisdiction over civil actions and probate proceedings, testate and intestate, including the grant of provisional remedies in proper cases, where the value of the property or money being demanded is P100,000.00); or P200,000.00 for cases in Metro Manila.

Judicial and Bar Council

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 vacant posts in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman, is chaired by Sereno, with ex-officio members 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 JBC’s executive committee and represents the retired SC justice sector.

Lawyer Jose Mejia meanwhile represents the academe, retired Court of Appeals Justice Aurora Santiago-Lagman represents the private sector, and lawyer Milagros Fernan-Cayosa represents the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ/JDS, GMA News

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