MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III has appointed 11 new judges in Metro Manila trial courts, as well as 321 prosecutors in various regions.
The appointments were made on Monday, March 7, or more than two weeks before the start of appointments ban during the election period.
In his March 7 letter to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, the President said that most of the 11 judges will fill vacancies in regional trial courts in the National Capital Region. They are:
- Judge Rosalia I. Hipolito-Bunagan for Caloocan City Regional Trial Court Branch 232
- Judge Rhoda Magdalene L. Mapile-Osinada for Malabon City RTC Branch 289
- Judge Rosario G. Ines-Pinzon for Malabon City RTC Branch 290
- Judge Ma. Antonia L. Largoza-Cantero for Malabon RTC Branch 291
- Judge Anthony B. Fama for Mandaluyong City RTC Branch 277
- Judge Jaime Fortunato A. Caringal for Mandaluyong RTC Branch 278
- Judge Juliet M. Manalo-San Gaspar for Mandaluyong RTC Branch 279
- Judge Restituto V. Mangalindan Jr for Mandaluyong RTC Branch 280
- Judge J. Ermin Ernest Louie Miguel for Mandaluyong RTC Branch 281
- Judge Juris S. Dilinila-Callanta for Quezon City RTC Branch 85
- Judge Orven Kuan Ontalan for Valenzuela City RTC Branch 285
The election appointments ban starts on March 25. Under Resolution 10030 of the Commission on Elections, no employees should be hired or appointed in any government office or corporation 45 days before election day, which falls on May 9 this year.
The Comelec resolution gives the President a longer period to make pre-election appointments than what is allowed under the Section 15, Article VII, of the 1987 Constitution. The Constitution bans the president from making appointments “two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term,” or 60 days before election day.
The exception is when the appointments are temporary and limited to executive positions "continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.” – Rappler.com