By Ellson Quismorio
Deputy Speaker and Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel believes that the implementation of measures for the protection of judges just became more urgent with the recent verdict on the high-profile Maguindanao massacre case.
Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel
(FACEBOOK / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"That is precisely why I filed that bill because the judges need protection," Pimentel said, referring to House Bill (HB) 5403.
The measure seeks to establish the Office of the Philippine Marshals Service under the Supreme Court (SC).
Under Pimentel’s bill, the marshals will be tapped to protect members of the judiciary, whom the Mindanao solon has described as "sitting ducks" amid recent attacks.
The conviction last week of key members of the still influential Ampatuan political clan for the bloody November 23, 2009 killings brought to the fore the ballsy decision of Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 221 Jocelyn Solis-Reyes.
Unfortunately, the handing down of the verdict in the controversial case doesn't necessarily mean the end of hostilities for those who were involved in the prosecution of the accused--last December 24 or just five days after the promulgation, Akmad Mitra Ampatuan was ambushed in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao.
Reports said Akmad is a vice mayor who testified against his relatives at one point during the 10-year trial.
Pimentel filed his measure days after the November 5 assassination of Tagudin, Ilocos Sur RTC Branch 25 Judge Mario Anacleto Bañez.
Bañez was the second RTC judge murdered this year, after the May 9 killing of Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte RTC Branch 11 Judge Reymar Lacaya. He is also the 31st member of the judiciary slain while in active service since 1999, the Deputy Speaker noted.
"In the past several months many judges have been killed because of their jobs," said Pimentel.
"That's why I am calling my colleagues to support this laudable bill which seeks to protect the lives of the judges," he added.
As proposed by Pimentel, every marshal shall be a bachelor’s degree holder, and shall be at least 21 years old but not older than 35.
The marshals shall: undergo training at the Philippine Public Safety College; possess suitable firearms for the proper protection of court officers and properties; serve as “peace officers” and as such, have the power to conduct arrests, searches and confiscations in accordance with existing laws and rules; investigate and counteract crimes against judicial officers; and take and require sworn truthful statements of any person or persons so summoned in relation to cases under investigation.
Currently, judges are only able to request for close protection officers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) on a case-to-case basis.
Some 58 people were slain during the Maguindanao Massacre, including 32 journalists. It has been described as the worst case of election-related violence in the Philippines.