A judge of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) of Pinamungajan-Aloguinsan towns in Cebu Province perished in a motorcycle accident at 6:55 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
The judge was identified as Carmela Rosario Pasquin, 41 years old.
The incident happened at the national highway of Barangay Cabiangon, Pinamungajan, midwest Cebu.
Based on initial police investigation, Pasquin was riding in pillion with Eric Gelizon Lanzarate, 48 years old, a court processor of MCTC, on board a Honda ADV 150.
The two were on their way to Pinamungajan (pi-na-mu-nga-han). It was learned from Pinamungajan Police that the judge commutes from Toledo City where she resides, or would share a ride with colleagues.
However, another motorcycle that was also headed for Pinamungajan, or on the same lane, swerved reportedly to the left for no apparent reason.
The other motorcycle driven by a certain Mark James Cabiling, 19 years old, single, resident of Barangay Tajao, Pinamungajan hit Lanzarate's motorcycle.
Pasquin who was sitting sideways on the motorcycle, otherwise referred to locally as "angkas nga binabaye," was thrown off on impact to the pavement.
The two were rushed to the Pinamungajan District Hospital, but Pasquin was declared dead on arrival.
Cabiling along with two persons riding in pillion sustained injuries.
The persons riding in pillion with Cabiling were identified as Ronalyn Anas, 39 years old, single; and Thely Lahaylahay, 47 years old, married, who are both residents of Barangay Tajao.
Cabiling was taken into the custody of Pinamungajan Police, pending the filing of reckless driving resulting to homicide.
Further, it was found out that Cabiling has no driver's license.
Police Major Marie Encio, chief of Pinamungajan Municipal Police Station, said that contrary to reports, Lanzarate did not sustain major injuries.
"Wala ma'm, in fact ang driver ni judge, ang gisakyan ni judge wala ra pud natumba. O nagrabehan, o napantok ang ulo, pero as to the cause of death [ni judge] dili mi maka-kuan kay wala pa mi kita sa death certificate, result sa hospital," Encio said.
