JBC member killed in traffic mishap

MANILA, Philippines - A member of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) was killed during a traffic accident in Mandaluyong City before dawn yesterday.

Police said lawyer Conrado Castro, 53, was driving his Toyota Fortuner (ARC-202) when he hit a tree on the center island along Ortigas Avenue at around 5 a.m. His vehicle turned over and police said the Fortuner was a total wreck.

Castro, a resident of Marikina City, was rushed to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center, where he was declared dead on arrival. Authorities said Castro suffered fractures all over his body. Police are eyeing the possibility that Castro could have fallen asleep while driving or tried to avoid colliding with another vehicle.

Castro, who had been a representative of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) to the JBC since 2003, was a graduate of the University of the Philippines and passed the Bar exams in 1985. He was a founding partner of the Castro Tan and Carag Law Offices from 1996 to 1997, and the Castro Cadiz and Carag Law offices from 1997 to 2003.