New RTC judges named

NAGA CITY --- President Rodrigo R. Duterte has recently appointed four Bicolano lawyers as the new judges of four newly established family courts in Camarines Sur province.

The four newly appointed magistrates are: Judge Rene M. De la Cruz of the Municipal Trial Court of Daet, who was promoted as judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 5 – Family Court (FC) in the same town; Prosecutor Agaton S. Fajardo as judge of RTC Branch 6-FC in Naga City; Prosecutor Rima B. Orbon-Ortega as judge of RTC Branch 7-FC in Iriga City; and Atty. Ma. Luzy B. Torres-Clasio as judge of RTC Branch 8-FC in Pili, Camarines Sur.

In an interview, lawyer Florante Nacor, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Camarines Sur chapter, congratulated the newly appointed judges.

He said any lawyer, who wants to be a judge, undergoes stringent requirements, which include lots of paper works, health and personality examinations, and character check conducted by the Judicial and Bar Council. Nacor said that appointment as RTC judge also requires 10 years of practice of profession, while lawyers applying as municipal trial court judge needs five years of practice to qualify for apponitment.

He said cases involving children and family matters such as annulment and adoption are handled by family courts.

FOUR more members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Camarines Sur chapter have been appointed presiding judges of the regional trial court recently.

IBP Camarines Sur President Atty. Florante Nacor disclosed that the new RTC judges who will preside family courts are- Agaton fajardo, RTC Branch 6- FC in Naga City; Rene M. Dela Cruz , RTC, Branch 5-FC in Daet, Cam. Norte; Ma. Luzy B. Torres-Calasio,RTC, Branch 8-FC in Pili, Camarines Sur and Rima B. Orbon-Ortega, RTC, Branch 7-FC in Iriga City.

The Regional Trial Courts in Partido area (4th District ) are supposed to be with three branches. One of them has remained vacant for a considerable period of time despite the high volume of cases. RTCs in San Jose have no Family Court.