Paredes off from case vs  Johnjohn

Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Fortunato De Gracia has approved the inhibition of Judge Mienrado Paredes from the cases against former Vice Governor John Gregory Osmeña and the alleged consignees of the P6 billion worth shipment of pseudoephedrine in 2004.

In a one-page order, De Gracia said he found Paredes’ inhibition from the case valid and within the existing rules.

De Gracia then ordered to return the cases against Osmeña, Mike Cummings and Dirk Hultz back to the Office of the Clerk of Court of the RTC so they can be raffled off to another judge.

Paredes’ inhibition came following the motion filed the state prosecutors, which accused him of being bias in handling the case.

The prosecutors anchored their motion on Paredes’ open court declaration that he was not satisfied by the prosecution’s evidence against Osmeña. They said this declaration has showed partiality on the part of the court in favor of the accused.

While he has emphasized that he has been impartial, Paredes still asked that he be inhibited from the case to prevent speculations that he may have personal interest in it. – Fred P. Languido/JMO