CEBU, Philippines - Regional Trial Court judges and members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu City Chapter expressed shock and surprise at the announcement of Judge Meinrado Paredes that he was relinquishing his post as RTC executive judge following a Supreme Court ruling against him.
“I am sad because he is so good but he has a reason why he stepped down as executive judge because there is a rule, whenever you have a position and you have a case you will have to automatically step down,” RTC Judge Simeon Dumdum said.
Judge Douglas Marigomen said the ruling of the Supreme Court was unfair after they implicated Paredes in the case.
Paredes and Judge Bienvenido Saniel were found guilty of an administrative case for incompetence and undue delay of resolving motions. The case was filed against them by a lawyer who said Paredes and Saniel had taken too long to decide his case against a shipping company.
However, they said they will file a motion for reconsideration to the resolution of the case.
Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter President Earl Bonachita said they were surprised and saddened by the announcement.
“We were surprised and saddened by the announcement that Paredes has relinquished his position as executive judge. We fully support him as a magistrate of integrity and competence, as well as a stalwart against corruption in the judiciary,” Bonachita said.
He added the IBP Cebu City Chapter has a very good relationship with the local judiciary under Paredes’ good leadership.
Justice Gabriel Ingles, who used to handle RTC Branch 58, said he was also sad over the latest development.
“I am saddened by this development…Judge Paredes has done a lot as executive judge in improving the image of RTC Cebu City not only in the physical of keeping of the records in the building but more importantly as regards the integrity of the institution,” Ingles said.
New RTC executive judge Silvestre Maamo declined to be interviewed. –(FREEMAN)