A judge has been temporarily assigned to handle cases in Abra Regional Trial Court where two judges have been recently suspended due to separate administrative cases.
Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said the Supreme Court has tapped Judge Richard Domingo of Candon City, Ilocos Sur RTC Branch 23 to serve as acting judge of Abra RTC.
Marquez said Domingo will temporarily hear cases pending in Abra RTC “in addition to his regular duties in his own court” until the suspended judges return to Abra RTC or until further orders from the Court.
The designation of the temporary judge was made to ensure the continuation of hearing of cases in the Abra RTC, especially with the upcoming May elections when poll-related cases are expected to clog the courts.
The High Court earlier ordered the preventive suspension of Bangued, Abra RTC Branch 1 Judge Raphiel Alzate and Branch 2 Judge Corpus Alzate in separate orders last Feb.12.
The twin suspension orders came after Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin vowed to cleanse the judiciary of misfits, starting with his home province, Abra.
Alzate was ordered suspended for six months pending an investigation of the Supreme Court on administrative charges against him involving cases of nullity of marriage.
In the case of Corpus, the SC extended an earlier preventive suspension against him for various administrative cases for another six months.
The judge filed a motion for reconsideration and sought lifting of the order, but it was denied by the High Court for lack of merit.