SP to file complaint at SC vs judge

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

The Regional Trial Court Branch 19 presided by a lone executive judge covering six northern towns of the province is now on the hot seat following the second installment of a privilege speech of a Sangguniang Panlalawigan member, who spilled the beans with the speech titled “Justice for sale?”.

The same court is presently hearing the case of four Chinese nationals arrested with unlicensed firearms and explosives at a checkpoint in Pasuquin on May 28 where the judge voluntarily inhibited herself and later on reconsidered this decision following a motion for reconsideration as she is now back hearing the case.

On September 16, SP member Vicentio “Toto” M. Lazo again raised and delivered a privilege speech urging other members of the provincial board “to do something” while the case of four Chinese nationals has yet to be decided at the said court.

On September 9, in Lazo’s first privilege speech, he asked the provincial board to take a closer look at the Chinese nationals’ case pending the passage of an ordinance institutionalizing the creation of the provincial anti-private armed group council (PAGC) which will be established under the Ilocos Norte government.

This was referred to the committee on laws and good government for appropriate action.

As a result, fellow lawyer and SP member Da Vinci M. Crisostomo, in his capacity as chairperson of the committee on laws, said they will act “swiftly” on this while preparing a resolution addressed to the court administrator of the Supreme Court to investigate Branch 19.

Citing criminal case no. 1962-19 involving the illegal drug trade of an alleged “shabu queen” sentenced on January 14, 2013 to life imprisonment. The suspect however was acquitted after a new lawyer took over her case and granted his motion for new trial.

Lazo related that the “newly discovered evidence in the person of a witness, the prosecutor did not even cross examine the witness for reason that whatever she testified to was already testified on during the trial proper so there’s no need to cross examine, which is correct.”

“But I was surprised when the decision convicting the accused was changed so that she was ultimately acquitted,” Lazo added citing this is just one of the cases at Branch 19 which he considers as “highly irregular”.

The same lawyer and prosecutor being referred to by Lazo in the person of Atty. Ferdinand Agustin and Judge Rosemarie Ramos are the ones presently handling the case of four Chinese nationals—Agustin as the legal counsel of the suspects and Ramos as the judge of Branch 19.

The Chinese nationals charged with illegal possession of firearms.

The cache of firearms and ammunitions seized from the Chinese nationals

“The case speaks for itself. I smell fish here and we must do something about it to protect our constituents of northern towns,” Lazo said.

When asked for comment, lawyer Agustin said, “That’s the beauty of democratic government. I don’t know his (Lazo) basis for telling that but the different courts would bear me out, it’s not just Branch 19 where I have cases.”

He said the case being referred to by Lazo (Criminal case no. 1962-19) is not the first time where he merely exercised “remedial act” leading to the acquittal of his client.

“I can’t properly react on this because I don’t know his basis. I only performed my duties inside the court and whatever happens outside, it’s already beyond my concern,” Agustin added.

In her interview aired in a local radio station, Ramos vehemently denied Lazo’s allegations saying, “That’s too unfair!”

“Buwan ang bibilang namin para makagawa kami ng isang decision. Ang hirap magbago ng decision. Mas mahirap pa kaysa sa gumawa ka ng decision kasi kapag binago mo ang decision parang binabaliktad mo rin ang sarili mo,” the judge said.

As judge, she said it takes her months to decide on a case as it entails careful study and research regardless of who is concerned.

Meanwhile, Ramos spokesperson, lawyer Ferdinand Ignacio said he has already conferred with Agustin in preparing a complaint at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan against Lazo.