Sereno: Don’t surrender without a warrant

by MB Online

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has written to the President today expressing some concerns over the naming of 7 judges allegedly involved in drugs, Monday.
Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/sereno-dont-surrender-without-a-warrant/#3EuZXF382zVhS3Ea.99

SUPREME CALLING — Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno, on the occasion of her third anniversary as head of the Supreme Court, reports on the state of the Judiciary and bares her next set of plans to improve the dispensation of justice in the country. (Ali Vicoy) mb.com.ph

In the letter, Sereno asked for basis for the allegations against judges and cautions them from surrendering to police without a warrant.

Sereno described the judges that were named by President Duterte as:

1. Judge Lorenda Mupas was dismissed in 2007 as Municipal Trial Court Judge of Dasmariñas, Cavite for gross ignorance of the law. Judge Roberto Navidad, formerly of the Calbayog City, Samar Regional Trial Court was killed on Jan. 14, 2008 at age 69.
2. Judge Rene Gonzales, formerly of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 7, Iloilo City compulsorily retired last June 20, 2016.
3. Judge Exequil Dagala of the MTC, Dapa-Socorro, Surigao, does not have jurisdiction over drugs cases, the same way that Judge Gonzales does not.
4. Judge Adriano Savillo, RTC, Branch 30, Iloilo City is a family court judge who does not have jurisdiction over drugs cases except in cases where a minor is a respondent.
5. Judge Domingo Casiple, RTC, Branch 7, Kalibo, Aklan is the judge of a court of general jurisdiction without jurisdiction over drugs cases, that is, until our recent decision to make all RTCs as drugs courts is implemented with the appropriate administrative circular.
6. Judge Antonio Reyes, RTC, Branch 61, Baguio City, Benguet presides over the designated drugs court in that multi-sala court.

With all this accusations, the chief justice asked the President to allow the judges who are stated above be able to carry a gun for protection for it may have endangered the lives of the 6 judges given the extrajudicial killings of those supposed to be involved in narcotics trade.

In addition, Sereno also said that the high court has an administrative mechanism in investigating, suspending, or disciplining judges.

(Sandra Agno)

http://www.mb.com.ph/sereno