13 new judges appointed to trial courts

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino has appointed 13 new judges in trial courts in various provinces.

In transmittal letters received by the Supreme Court yesterday, the new members of the bench have been assigned to regional trial court (RTC) and municipal trial court (MTC) branches in provinces in Ilocos, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions.

Among the new judges are Rhea Sernadilla-Gallevo of Agoo, La Union MTC; Romeo Carmelito Conge of Pulilan, Bulacan MTC; and Jose Covarrubias III of Meycauayan, Bulacan MTC in cities.

Also appointed were Rene de la Cruz of Daet, Camarines Norte MTC; Maria Christine Bernarte of Calabanga, Camarines Sur MTC; Salvador Villarosa Jr. of Labo, Camarines Norte MTC; Maria Kristina Malanyaon of Buhi, Camarines Sur MTC; Pedro Redonia of Calabanga, Camarines Sur RTC; and Ignacio Barcillano Jr. Ligao, Albay RTC.

The list also included George Andy Pantanosas of Binganonan, Rizal MTC; Bonhoefer Bernardez of Bantay, Ilocos Sur MTC; Rachelle Asuncion Palen of Bolinao, Pangasinan MTC; Cresencio Maliwat of Santiago, Isabela RTC.

“By 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 appointment papers signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. on behalf of President Aquino.

The appointments were made after a thorough selection process by the Judicial and Bar Council chaired by Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.

The constitutional body tasked to vet nominees to posts in the judiciary and the Office of the Ombudsman has three ex-officio members and four regular members.

The ex-officio members are Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Sen. Francis Escudero and Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas.

The regular members, on the other hand, are lawyers Jose Mejia from academe and Milagros Fernan-Cayosa from the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, retired Supreme Court Justice Regino Hermosisima from the sector of retired justices, and retired Court of Appeals Justice Aurora Santiago-Lagman from the private sector.