Twenty regional trial court (RTC) judges who had been appointed by President Duterte as judges-at-large or roving judges had been assigned by the Supreme Court (SC) to various court stations with no judges or to those with overloaded dockets.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo approved the assignments of the 20 RTC judges-at-large on recommendations made by Court Administrator Jose Midas P. Marquez, whose office supervises all lower courts for the SC.

The appointment of judges-at-large, who have no permanent stations, is provided for under Republic Act No. 11459 or the Judges-at-Large Act of 2019, which was signed into law by the President in August last year.

RA 11459 mandated the creation of 100 judges-at-large positions for RTCs and 50 posts for municipal trial courts (MTCs).

Only 40 judges-at-large have so far been appointed by the President. Last July 14, the SC received the appointments of 20 MTC judges-at-large.

Court Administrator Marquez had recommended the partial implementation of RA 11459 “since only 50 of the 150 positions were funded by Congress in the judiciary’s 2020 budget.”

Marquez said the other 100 positions are expected to be funded in 2021 and thus the posts will be open for application when the funds are ready.

Under the law, RTC judges-at-large will be assigned as acting or assisting judges to any RTC branch, while the MTC judges-at-large will be assigned to any first-level courts in the country -- such as MTC, municipal circuit trial court (MCTC), municipal trial court in cities (MTCC) or metropolitan trial court (MeTC) -- as public interest may require.

Marquez said the SC has yet to determine the assignments of the 20 MTC judges-at-large.

The 20 RTC roving judges and their assignments:

Judges Eric Anthony A. Dumpilo, acting presiding judge, City of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental; Caroline C. Payumo, assisting judge, Antipolo City, Rizal; Donabel L. Breva Bobier, acting presiding judge, Sorsogon City, in Sorsogon; Benison M. Mahawan, assisting judge, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat; Ruben E. Sevillano Jr., assisting judge, Antipolo City, Rizal;

Manasseh S. Bastes, acting presiding judge, Calubian, Leyte; Adonis A. Laure, acting presiding judge, Carmen, Bohol; Maria Cristina D.R. Rosario Osoteo, acting presiding judge, Antipolo City, Rizal; Nimia T. Castillo Peralta, acting presiding judge, San Fernando City, La Union; Dennis A. Mendoza, acting presiding judge, Cabagan, Isabela;

Raymond Joseph M. Sorongon, assisting judge, Daet, Camarines Norte; Joel C. Bantasan, acting presiding judge, Iligan City, Isabela; Aaron D. Go, acting presiding judge, Hilongos, Leyte; Minnelli S. Rocio Carvajal, assisting judge,Tagaytay City, Cavite; Mary Grace S. Bonsol Cabal, assisting judge, Cabuyao City, Laguna;

Helen C. Magampon Maberit, acting presiding judge, Lucena City, Quezon; Panfilo I. Sala Jr., acting presiding judge, Bogo City, Cebu; Leo Felix S. Domingo, acting presiding judge, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Glenda T. Ortiz Soriano, acting presiding judge, La Trinidad, Benguet; and Rigor R. Pascual, acting presiding judge, Malolos City, Bulacan.

Appointed MTC judges-at-large were Eduardo Eric F. Adversario, Jason B. Alquiroz, Joy B. Bolivar, Marilex L. Cabading, Maria Celina S. Carungay Servillano, Charisma Naida S. Castillo Martin, Ruel H. Espaldon, Eric O. Labuguen, Carolyn Delos Reyes Lorenzo Tanudtanud, Maria Rhodoro A. Malabag Peralta,

Charlene Clara G. Mendoza, Maria Monette F. Mesa, Ruben F. Mission V, Ma. Victoria Y. Patinio, Anthony Prince M. Tominez, Jesus G. Torres, Lady Ivy Vanity D. Velasco, Geronimo I. Ventura III, Michael Hanz D. Villaster, and Mark Louie L. Zabala.