By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff Reporter
In a move to cause for the
investigation of an executive judge, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines
(IBP)-Ilocos Norte chapter expressed on September 30 their full support to the
Ilocos Norte Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s resolution urging the Supreme Court
(SC) to conduct an investigation on Judge Rosemarie Ramos of the Regional Trial
Court Branch 19.
The said trial
court covers the northern towns of the province.
Draft provincial
resolution no. 2013-08-008 sponsored by lawyer board member Vicentito M. Lazo, with
the committees on good government and laws was unanimously approved by members
of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan during the 13th regular session on September 30 at the
Sangguniang Panlalawigan session hall. The resolution requests the high court
to specifically “determine the moral fitness and competence of Judge Ramos to
continue to sit as presiding judge of RTC Branch 19 in Bangui, Ilocos Norte.”
Except for lawyer
board member Juan Conrado A. Respicio II, all lawmakers present during the
deliberation approved the passage of said resolution. The said session was also
attended by officers and members of the local IBP chapter, led by their president,
Atty. Joseph Nerez.
“The resolution
is very appropriate and timely,” said former Ilocos Norte Vice Governor and
past IBP-Ilocos Norte President Mariano Nalupta Jr. when asked about their view
about the SP’s desire for the SC to investigate Ramos who has been earlier
accused of “irregularity” while deciding cases at RTC Branch 19.
Nalupta even
cited Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno through a published article encouraging
lawyers to help stamp out corruption in the judiciary should they know
something about it.
According to the
chief justice, the SC is open to discussing measures to protect whistle-blowing
lawyers should there be a need to do so.
Two weeks ago,
Lazo delivered a privilege speech exposing “highly irregular” activities at the
Branch 19. The lawyer-lawmaker even went to the extent of alleging that in the
said court justice is for sale.
Ramos however
vehemently denied Lazo’s allegations saying “it’s unfair” that she is being
accused of being biased while deciding cases at RTC Branch 19 regardless of
whoever is involved.
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