Supreme Court assigns new judge in court handling De Lima drug case

The Supreme Court has designated a Manila judge to a Muntinlupa court whose heavy caseload includes one of the three drug cases against Senator Leila de Lima.

From the Manila Regional Trial Court Branches 177 and 44, Judge Grace Chavez-Ty will be the acting presiding judge of the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256 in a full-time capacity, effective immediately, according to a Thursday order by Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta.

Chavez-Ty is to preside over Branch 256 until further notice, but for no longer than six months, subject to renewal "if circumstances warrant."

De Lima had asked for the appointment of a new judge to handle the drug case against her after she learned that the judge temporarily assigned to the court branch would not be hearing her case.

Judge Antonietta Medina, a temporary replacement for former acting presiding judge Gener Gito, had recused herself from the De Lima case twice.

But court officials said the processing of Chavez-Ty's designation preceded De Lima's request and was prompted by an increase in the court branch's caseload.

Court Administrator Midas Marquez said the designation was already in the works when he learned of De Lima's letter. He said Branch 256 has a load of more than 900 cases.

"The designation was already being planned even before the request of Sen. De Lima," said court spokesman Brian Keith Hosaka.

Hosaka said the 6-month limit to the designation is in accordance with Article 8, Section 5(3) of the Constitution.

He said he does not know if Chavez-Ty has confirmed she will handle the De Lima case, whose previous handling judges had either inhibited or retired early.

The opposition senator is accused of involvement in the New Bilibid Prison illegal drug trade during her term as Justice secretary. She denies the charges.

Two of the three cases are pending before Judge Liezel Aquiatan. — BM, GMA News