Lady judge to handle Bogo bank rob case

Cebu City Regional Trial Court Judge Stella Singco will handle the case on the robbery of the Bogo branch of Land Bank of the Philippines after the Supreme Court approved the transfer of the hearing venue from Bogo to the city.

The case was raffled off to Singco on Monday after the Bogo regional trial court turned over all the records of the case, which involves former New People's Army member Joel Sumabong.

It was Sumabong who earlier asked the Supreme Court to transfer the venue of the hearing from Bogo to Cebu City for fear that the Martinezes would hit back at him after he implicated Bogo Mayor Tining Martinez in the case.

Ramesis Villagonzalo, the counsel for Sumabong, yesterday assured that his client would appear in court if being summoned by Singco. Sumabong was alleged to be the mastermind in the robbery.

Villagonzalo said his client was never arraigned since he posted bail earlier this year. "Anytime pwede siya mopakita kay sukad ma sukad wa man gyud ni siya ma-arraigned sa korte."

As of yesterday, Singco has not yet set the arraignment of Sumabong.

The regional police office earlier cleared Martinez in the case despite Sumabong's statement. - Ramil V. Ayuman