In the Judiciary, good work does not go unnoticed.
The Supreme Court has commended 20 trial court judges for their outstanding performance in disposing the most number of civil and criminal cases during last year’s National Judgment Day.
The 2022 National Judgment Day, which was held on November 16, 2022 to coincide with the 47th anniversary of the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA), resulted in the disposal of 55,514 out of the 94,166 criminal cases heard on the said day and the release of 16,475 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Among those responsible for this feat are the following judges who disposed of the most number of criminal cases: Hon. Jorge B. Espinal, Presiding Judge, Branch 51, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Carmen, Bohol; Hon. Chonita L. Maagad, Presiding Judge, Branch 56, RTC Mandaue City, Cebu; Hon. Glenda C. Marin, Presiding Judge, Branch 124, RTC Caloocan City; and Hon. Yvonne C. Artiaga, Presiding Judge, Branch 3, Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Cebu City, Cebu.
The Court also recognized judges who released the most number of PDLs. They are: Hon. Karen Crystal Maramba-Firme, Presiding Judge, Branch 227, RTC Quezon City and Hon. Banuar Reuben A. Falcon, Presiding Judge, Branch 71, RTC Antipolo City.
Likewise, the Court named the judges who released the most number of Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL). They are: Hon. Catherine Therese M. Tagle-Salvador, Presiding Judge, Branch 73, RTC Malabon City; Hon. Jennifer A. Santos-De Lumen, Presiding Judge, Branch 18-Family Court (FC), RTC, Cainta, Rizal; Hon. Gemma Theresa B. Hilario-Logronio, Presiding Judge, Branch 12, RTC Olongapo City, Zambales; Hon. Bernarditto M. Malabago, Presiding Judge, Branch 95, RTC Barili, Cebu; Hon. Minerva P. Pepino-Estremos, Acting Presiding Judge, Branch 34, RTC Panabo City, Davao del Norte; and Hon. Roslyn R. Tria, Acting Presiding Judge, Branch 86, RTC Quezon City.
Furthermore, the Court recognized the following judges who disposed of the most number of civil cases, namely: Hon. Niño Delvin Eduardo Embuscado, Presiding Judge, Branch 66, Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC) Makati City; Hon. Venice B. Buagñin, Presiding Judge, Branch 9, MeTC Manila; Hon. Conchita D. Montecillo, Acting Presiding Judge, Branch 40, RTC Tandag City, Surigao del Sur; Hon. Jason B. Alquiroz, Judge-at-Large, Branch 2, MTCC Olongapo City, Zambales; Hon. Marietta S. Brawner-Cualing, Presiding Judge, Branch 138, RTC Benguet, La Trinidad; and Hon. Sheila Marie V. Sison-Javier, Presiding Judge, Branch 167, MeTC Pasay City; Hon. Vladimir Berla S. Daral, Presiding Judge, Branch 165, MeTC Pasay City; and Hon. Jose Pocholo R. Del Rosario, Presiding Judge, Branch 2-FC, RTC, Daraga, Albay.
All 20 judges have no pending administrative cases. They also posted individual clearance rates ranging from 81 percent to 1622 percent. The clearance rate refers to the rate of cases disposed of vis-à-vis newly filed or raffled cases (Total Case Output/New Cases).
The OCA celebrated its 47th Anniversary last November with the theme OCA: Kaagapay sa Pagkalinga, Pagsulong, at Pagbigay ng Mataas na Antas ng Serbisyo sa Hudikatura.
As guest of honor and speaker of the anniversary celebration, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo rallied all OCA officials and personnel to keep up with technological advancements to improve its services to the judges, lower court employee, and court users. The Chief Justice also took the opportunity to share the Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 to the OCA officials and employees, led by Court Administrator Raul B. Villanueva.
For his part, Supreme Court Associate Justice Jose Midas P. Marquez, who served as Court Administrator prior to his promotion to the High Court, rallied everyone to continue working hard to best serve the constituents of OCA ― the judges, lower court personnel, and court users.