President Duterte appoints Pahimna as new Associate Justice of Sandiganbayan

In 2008, Pahimna was among the three Regional Trial Court judges recognized by the Supreme Court for their outstanding performance in the Judiciary. (Photo: Blogtrepreneur/ Flickr)

BAGUIO CITY–President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Taguig Regional Trial Court Judge Lorifel L. Pahimna as the new Associate Justice of Sandiganbayan.

In a transmittal letter of Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Aranal-Sereno, dated March 1, 2017 but was received by the Supreme Court on April 18, 2017, Pahimna was appointed Associate Justice replacing Associate Justice Napoleon E. Inoturan who retired early on August last year.

Pahimna was admitted to the Bar on May 30, 1987.

Her noted decisions include the annulment of marriage of actress Carmina Villaruel and actor Rustom Padilla. She also denied the temporary protection order of model Deniece Cornejo.

In December 2007, she also convicted 12 Abu Sayyaf members for kidnapping 20 people from Dos Palmas resort in Puerto Princesa in Palawan on May 2001. Among those abducted tourist arePeruvian-American Guillermo Sobero, and American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham.

In 2008, Pahimna was among the three Regional Trial Court judges recognized by the Supreme Court for their outstanding performance in the Judiciary.