Vizconde massacre case judge to retire from CA next month

MANILA, Philippines - The magistrate who rendered the decision on the Vizconde massacre 23 years ago will retire on July 4.

The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) announced on Friday the compulsory retirement of Court of Appeals (CA) Fourth Division chairperson Justice Amelita Tolentino.

Tolentino was the judge of Parañaque City Regional Trial Court Branch 274 when she rendered the decision on the Vizconde massacre, which was dubbed as the “crime of the century.”

On Jan. 6, 2000, Tolentino sentenced Hubert Webb, Peter Estrada, Hospicio Fernandez, Michael Gatchalian, Antonio Lejano II and Miguel Rodriguez to reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment for murdering Estrellita Vizconde and her daughters Carmela and Jennifer in June 1991.

Tolentino was appointed CA associate justice on Aug. 27, 2001. She was Bar reviewer and professor of law and political science.

According to the CA website, Tolentino has excellent credentials. She obtained her degrees in political science and law from the Lyceum of the Philippines where she had been a consistent scholar and graduated valedictorian.

The JBC also announced the retirement of Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Pelagio Apostol on Aug. 21.

The JBC said it is now accepting applications and recommendations to the positions to be vacated by Tolentino and Apostol.

It is also searching for a Legal Education Board (LEB) chairperson, who should have started the five-year term last Jan. 14.

An applicant for the position of LEB chairperson shall preferably be a former justice of the Supreme Court (SC) or the CA, a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, member of the Philippine Bar, practiced law for at least 10 years and taught law in a duty authorized or recognized law school.

Interested applicants should submit their applications and recommendations on or before June 17 to the JBC Secretariat at the Centennial Building of the Supreme Court.

New applicants must submit not later than July 2 the required supporting documents.

Previous applicants should inquire with Caroline Faustino of the JBC Secretariat.