President Duterte appoints 11 magistrates in Region 4 and Region 5

President Duterte appoints 11 magistrates in Region 4 and Region 5 (Photo: Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines)/ Facebook)

MANILA—President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed 11 new judges of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Region 4 or Southern Region and Region 5 or the Bicol Region.

This was contained in a transmittal letter from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea sent to Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Aranal-Sereno and the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) dated January 17.

Those appointed were Judge Mary Jane Valeza-Maranan of the RTC Lemery, Batangas while Niven Canlapan was appointed as RTC Judge of Carmona, Cavite.

In Laguna, Tomas Ken Romaquin was appointed as RTC Judge of Binan; Mary Jean Cajandab-Pamittan as RTC Judge of Sta. Cruz; Rosauro Angelito David as RTC Judge of Sta. Rosa; and Gil Jude Sta Maria as RTC Judge of Sta Rosa.

In Puerto Princesa, Palawan RTC Judgeship posts, appointed were Arnel Cezar for Branch 163; Anna Leah Tiongson-Mendoza for Branch 164; and Ramon Chito Mendoza for RTC Branch 165.

Also appointed were Alma Balilla Operio of RTC Labo, Camarines Norte and Erwin Dimayacyac of RTC Mindoro Oriental.

Upon the entry of the Duterte administration last year, only two RTC Judges assigned in Pangasinan were appointed by the chief executive.