SC upholds penalty vs. 2 judges

CEBU, Philippines - “It is an understatement to say but I’m very, very disappointed. I am a victim of injustice.”

This was what former Cebu City Regional Trial Court executive Judge Meinrado Paredes said after the Supreme Court affirmed its ruling finding him and Judge Bienvenido Saniel Jr. guilty of an administrative case.

The SC held Paredes and Saniel of RTC Branch 20 guilty of incompetence, gross ignorance of the law, manifest partiality and undue delay in resolving motions.

Paredes told The FREEMAN while they never committed those offenses he will not challenge the ruling of the SC.

“I will not defy the ruling of the Supreme Court. But whether it is either right or wrong I agree with the decision because wala nata’y mahimo,” he said.

He, however, said haste was involved in resolving the administrative case.

“Kadto nuong marriage scam nga dugay na kaayo wala pa na-resolve. I just learn ang nag-recommend sa case gikan sa NBI then the complainant is former NBI,” he said

Paredes added former president of the IBP Cebu City Chapter Michael Yu expressed their support to him.

“I received a text message from the former IBP president that they support me and believe in me and he added keep up your good work,” he said.

The SC First Division denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Paredes and Saniel with finality.

Division Clerk of Court Edgar Aricheta found no substantial matter raised in the motion for reconsideration by respondents to reconsider its earlier ruling.

Two judges were fined P10,000 each and issued a stern warning that the repetition of the same offense in the future shall be dealt with more severely.

Aricheta likewise resolves “to note without action” the undated statement of support filed by the Free Legal Assistance Group Cebu Chapter manifesting their full support and calling for review and reconsideration of the ruling.

The case started after Atty. Florencio Villarin filed an administrative case against Saniel and Paredes after he claimed the two judges had taken too long to decide his case against a shipping company.

Villarin said his administrative case should serve as a lesson to all judges not to allow them to be “influenced and manipulated by shrewd practicing lawyers in the discharge of their judicial functions.”

Paredes earlier resigned from his post as executive judge after he was implicated in an administrative case. – (FREEMAN)