Paredes now executive judge

CEBU - Seniority and the unanimous endorsement from his fellow Regional Trial Court judges led to the appointment of Regional Trial Court Branch 13 judge Meinrado Paredes as the new executive judge of the Cebu City RTC. 

Through an administrative order issued by the Supreme Court, Paredes was appointed as the executive judge yesterday with Silvestre Maamo as the first executive judge and Soliver Peras as the second executive judge.

Paredes yesterday said that he was very happy with his appointment but also worried because of his additional duties.

With regards to his plans, Paredes said that he will be consulting first the judges as to what changes and improvements they want in the judicial system.

“I am conscious at the same time because I want to consider also other people. I do not want to impose what I want,” he said.

Ealier, all judges in Cebu City signed a resolution drafted by RTC Branch 58 judge Gabriel Ingles endorsing Paredes as the next executive judge.

According to the resolution, Paredes is the most senior having been appointed in 1987. They also said Paredes possesses all the necessary requirements for the position under the “guidelines on the selection and designation of executive judge and defining their powers, prerogatives and duties”.

Former executive judge Simeon Dumdum said he signed the endorsement because he believes Paredes deserves the position.

Dumdum said being the executive judge requires “firmness” and he observed Paredes to be very firm.

Dumdum said he just hopes that whoever will be the next executive judge, the tradition of the judges getting together every Monday morning will resume.

Dumdum said he started the tradition during his term but it stopped during Fortunato De Gracia’s time. — Jasmin R. Uy/BRP (THE FREEMAN)