Taguig judge inhibits self from case vs Cedric, Deniece

MANILA, Philippines – Taguig Regional Trial Court Branch 271 Judge Paz Esperanza Cortes inhibited herself from hearing the illegal detention case lodged by television host Ferdinand “Vhong” Navarro.

This was confirmed by Navarro’s lawyer, Alma Mallonga, who earlier filed a motion for Cortes’ inhibition following the judge’s decision to allow businessman Cedric Lee, model Deniece Cornejo and martial artist Simeon Palma “Zimmer” Raz to post bail.

“Yes, in the exercise of her sound judicial discretion,” said Mallonga in confirming Cortes’ inhibition.

The judge set bail for the three accused at P500,000 each.

Mallonga said the motion for Cortes’ inhibition is anchored on “compelling” grounds such as the violation of elementary principles of law and the non-appreciation by the court of certain evidence.

Mallonga said Navarro’s motion for reconsideration would be heard by another judge once the case is raffled off.

De Lima lauds move

In a text message to reporters yesterday, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima lauded Cortes’ decision.

“We appreciate the sense of delicadeza exhibited by the judge given the manifested loss of faith and confidence on the part of the prosecutors borne out of the highly questionable granting of bail to Cedric Lee and company amidst the strong and solid evidence presented by the public prosecutors during the bail hearing,” she said.

De Lima said a new judge “with a fresh perspective and impartial predisposition is needed to obviate miscarriage of justice in that case.”

De Lima earlier questioned the ruling of the judge granting bail to businessman Lee, Cornejo and Raz, saying the evidence against the accused was weak.

The justice chief said their three-woman team of prosecutors filed a strong case against the accused. – With Edu Punay