PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed 11 judges to be deployed in various courts in Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions.
The 11 would be the first batch of Duterte’s appointment this year, after designating two regional trial court judges in Pangasinan last year.
In a transmittal letter dated Jan. 17, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea informed Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Aranal-Sereno of the President’s appointment of new RTC judges for Region 4 and 5.
Judge Mary Jane Valeza-Maranan has been assigned to RTC Lemery, Batangas, while Niven Canlapan was appointed RTC judge of Carmona, Cavite.
In Laguna, Tomas Ken Romaquin was appointed RTC Judge of Binan; Mary Jean Cajandab-Pamittan RTC Judge of Sta. Cruz, Rosauro; Angelito David RTC judge of Sta. Rosa, and Gil Jude Sta Maria RTC judge of Sta Rosa.
In Puerto Princesa, Arnel Cezar was designated judge for RTC, Branch 163, Anna Leah Tiongson-Mendoza, RTC Branch 164, and Ramon Chito Mendoza, RTC Branch 165.
Also appointed were Alma Balilla Operio of RTC Labo, Camarines Norte and Erwin Dimayacyac of RTC Mindoro Oriental.
The Judicial and Bar Council earlier recommended the appointment of the new judges after hurdling the vetting process conducted by the council, which is mandated to screen and vet nominees to the President for vacant posts in the judiciary and the Offices of the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman.