SC appoints Maamo RTC executive judge

CEBU - In spite of his seniority and the unanimous endorsement from his fellow Regional Trial Court judges in Cebu City to be the next executive judge, RTC Branch 13 Presiding Judge Meinrado Paredes still failed to get the appointment from the Supreme Court.

Paredes admitted to court reporters yesterday afternoon that the Supreme Court has already appointed second vice executive judge Silvestre Maamo as the new executive judge following Judge Fortunato de Gracia’s retirement last month.

Although he has not seen the appointment paper, Paredes said Maamo has already confirmed his appointment when he called him up to congratulate.

According to Paredes, Maamo was reluctant to accept the position but Maamo told him that he would accept the appointment.

But in a separate interview with reporters, Maamo said he has yet to receive a notice of appointment from the Supreme Court.

Maamo acted as the executive judge since last month after De Gracia retired because of the absence of the first vice executive judge Ramon Codilla, who also retired last month.

Although he is the most senior among the RTC judges in Cebu City, Paredes said he has high respect for Maamo.

In fact, Maamo was reluctant to accept the position and even signed a resolution endorsing Paredes as the next executive judge. The resolution was signed by all judges in Cebu City.

According to the resolution, Paredes is the most senior having been appointed in 1987.

According to them, Paredes possessed all the necessary requirements for the position under the “guidelines on the selection and designation of executive judge and defining their powers, prerogatives and duties.”

RTC Branch 58 Judge Gabriel Ingles, who drafted the resolution, said they were unanimous to endorse Paredes being the most senior. Ingles said he circulated the resolution for them to sign upon the prodding of Maamo himself.

Former executive judge Simeon Dumdum said he signed the endorsement because he believes Paredes deserves the position, although he said Maamo is also qualified for the position.

Dumdum said being the executive judge requires “firmness” and he observed Paredes to be very firm.

Dumdum said he just hopes that whoever will be the next executive judge, the tradition of them getting together every Monday morning will resume.

Dumdum said he started the tradition during his term but it stopped during De Gracia’s time. — Fred P. Languido/LPM (THE FREEMAN)