Aquino appoints 13 new judges in 9 provinces

President Benigno Aquino III has appointed 13 new judges to various courts in nine provinces in Luzon.

A transmittal letter sent by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said the new judges were appointed in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and the Bicol Region.

["B]y virtue hereof, you may qualify and enter upon the performance of the duties of the office, furnishing this Office and the Civil Service Commission with copies of your oath of office," read the new judges' appointment papers.

The new judges were appointed either to a regional trial court, a municipal trial court in cities, or a metropolitan trial court. They are:

• Judge Rhea Sernadilla-Gallevo (Metropolitan Trial Court or MTC Agoo, La Union)
• Judge Romeo Carmelito Conge (MTC Pulilan, Bulacan)
• Judge Jose Covarrubias III (Municipal Trial Court in Cities or MTCC Branch 1 Meycauayan, Bulacan)
• Judges Rene Dela Cruz, (MTC Daet, Camarines Norte)
• Judge Maria Christine Bernarte (MTC Calabanga, Camarines Sur)
• Judge Salvador Villarosa Jr. (MTC Labo, Camarines Norte)
• Judge Maria Kristina Malanyaon (MTC Buhi, Camarines Sur)
• Judge Pedro Redonia (Regional Trial Court or RTC Branch 63 Calabanga, Camarines Sur)
• Judge Ignacio Barcillano Jr. (RTC Branch 13, Ligao, Albay)
• Judge George Andy Pantanosas (MTC Branch 2, Binganonan, Rizal)
• Judge Bonhoefer Bernardez (MTC Bantay, Ilocos Sur)
• Judge Rachelle Asuncion Palen (MTC Bolinao, Pangasinan)
• Judge Cresencio Maliwat (RTC Branch 21 Santiago, Isabela)

The judges were selected from a shortlist prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), the body constitutionally mandated to screen and vet nominees for vacant positions in the judiciary and the Office of the Ombudsman.

The JBC is currently chaired by Sereno, with three other ex-officio members and four regular members. — Mark Merueñas/KBK, GMA News