The Supreme Court (SC) has named 260 trial court judges who were recognized and commended for high ratings in the disposition of cases or high clearance rates in 2022.
In a resolution, the SC said “these are the judges who exemplified exceptional commitment to the pursuit of efficient case disposition even amid the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.”
It said that “by disposing of cases with fairness and dispatch, a court is able to dispense timely justice for all parties involved, promote the integrity of the judicial process, and, ultimately, foster public trust in the courts and the Judiciary.”
The SC said that “the clearance rate is computed by dividing the total number of case disposals or case outflow by the total number of incoming cases or case inflow, multiplied by 100.”
“Accordingly, a clearance rate of 100 percent would mean that the court was able to dispose one case for every case filed during a given period,” it said.
“A court’s clearance rate emerges as a meaningful metric to assess its efficiency in disposing of cases. In principle, the clearance rate measures the court's ability to dispose of cases relative to the number of cases that had been filed before it at a given time,” the SC said.
“A clearance rate of exactly 100 percent means that, for a given period, a court was able to prevent an increase in the number of pending and unresolved cases pending before it. A clearance rate beyond that threshold indicates the potential to not only prevent but also reduce or eliminate case backlogs,” it said.
It also said: “The persistent existence of case backlogs has always been seen as the antitheses of efficient case disposition. By employing the clearance rate metric, however, the SC can readily pinpoint the trial courts especially the individual judges behind them that are actively working towards the eradication of case backlogs and, thus, remain committed to the principles of the judiciary’s five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations.”
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo said the giving of commendations to deserving trial court judges is part of the SC's five-year Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022-2027.
"The commendation is a credential to future applications for promotion in the judiciary," Gesmundo said.
On Jan. 27, 2023, the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) which supervises trial court for the SC directed all clerks of court to submit data on filed and disposed cases within their jurisdictions for 2022.
The OCA said that “as a matter of standard, the productivity or performance of a court during a specific period is best measured through its clearance rate.”
Thus, the SC said it agreed with OCA’s recommendation to give due recognition to trial court judges who attained high clearance rates for 2022.
Regional Trial Court (RTC), Metropolitan Trial Court (MeTC), Metropolitan Trial Court in Cities (MTCC), Municipal Trial Court (MTC), and Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) judges who were recognized and commended by the SC are:
National Capital Region RTC -- Judges Reynaldo A. Alhambra, Anne Beatrice G. Aguana-Balmaceda, Caroline Rivera-Colasito, Grace P. Chavez-Ty, Regina Paz A. Ramos-Chavez, Nadine Jessica Corazon J. Fama, Felino Z. Elefante, Gener M. Gito, Luis Zenon Q. Maceren, and Jennifer B. Escorpezo-Bayaua.
Region I – RTC Judges Alfred Felix E. De Castro, Homer Jay D. Ragonjan, Michael V. Francisco, Marita Bernales Balloguing, Felix G. Salvador, Richard T. Domingo, Vicente E. Lamug, Junius F. Dalaten, Marietta S. Brawner-Cualing, and Francisco R. D. Quilala.
Region II – RTC Judges Dominica L. Dumangeng-Rosario, Michelle I. Gumpal-Videz, Nicanor S. Pascual, Jr., Jezarene C. Aquino, Neljoe A. Cortes, Victor R. Cumigad, Romeo U. Habbiling, Ariel M. Palce, Randy B. Bulwayan, and Gemma B. Madrid.
Region III – RTC Judges Alexander P. Tamayo, April Joy Magsayo-Aguila, Mary Jane B. Dacara-Buenaventura, Ma. Lourdes E. Ignacio, Lily C. De Vera-Vallo, Lody Q. Tancioco, Divina Luz P. Aquino-Simbulan, April Anne M. Turqueza-Pabellar, Elenita N. Evangelista Casipit, and Christine Marie C. Capule.
Region IV – RTC Judges Portia A. Martinez-Panegro, Jose Rlcuerdo P. Flores, Nanette M. Austria, Nieven R. Canlapan, Allan S. Hilbero, Ethel R. Andico-Malabanan, Luvina P. Roque, Iluminado M. Dela Pena, Ma. Lourdes S. Mendoza, and Charito M. Macalintal-Sawali.
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Region V – RTC Judges Amy Ana L. De Villa-Rosero, Arturo Clemente B. Revil, Jose Ronald M. Bernales, Jose Demosthenes M. Salgado, Zach L. Zaragoza-Ziga, Martessa E. Nuylan-Rodrigueza, Maria Carmela Ng Pee Mendiola, Rofebar F. Gerona, Mary Flor D. Tabigue-Logarta, and Ma. Luzy B. Torres-Clasio.
Region VI – RTC Judges Edgar R. Tupas, Amcel L. Mercader, Elijo Sharon H. Bellones, Gemalyn F. Tarol, Oscar Leo S. Billena, Nelita Jesusa A. Bacaling, Therese Blanche A. Bolunia, Bienvenido P. Barrios, Jr., Jovy A. Victoriano-Dioso, and Dyna Doll C. Trocio.
Region VII – RTC Judges Estela Alma A. Singco-Caruso, Anacleto G. Debalucos, Jorge B. Espinal, Ruben F. Altubar, Christine M. Tabasuares-Aba, Glenda Ching Go, Judilyn H. Tapia-Menchavez, Samuel A. Biliran, Rufo U. Naragas, Grace M. Veloso-Fernandez, and Pamela A. Baring-Uy.
Region VIII – RTC Judges Fabio T. Albao, Jr., Angelo M. Raagas, Evelyn P. Rinos-Lesigues, Avelino R.M. Basco, Armando L. Rosadino, Irene T. Pontejos, Dexter L. Aguilar, Lauro Andres P. Castillo, Jr., Alma Consuelo D. Esidera, and Georgina Uy-Perez.
Region IX – RTC Judges Abraham S. Marcaban, Cholyn Mae M. Ruiz-Bonbon, Peter V. Eisma, Romeo T. Descallar, Norma 0. Usin-Usman, Analyn F. Ramos-Costanilla, Eric D. Elumba, Florendo B. Opay, Cherry Joy C. Concha-Ageas, and Anthony D. Isaw.
Region X – RTC Judges Ma. Theresa A. Camannong, Isobel G. Barroso, Ferdinand R. Villanueva, Fernando R. Fudalan, Jr., Marigel Dagani-Hugo, Francis L. Rafil, Emmanuel E. Escatron, Giovanni Alfred H. Navarro, Emily Zen Y. Chua, Arthur L. Abundiente20, Jamel T. Mamutuk, Wilfredo G. Bibera, Jr., and Jeanne Marie A. Abarrientos
Region XI – RTC Judges Alexander B. Yarra, Edwin M. Malazarte, Catalina Shineta M. Tare-Palacio, Sharon Rose T. Saracin, Emilio G. Dayanghirang Ill, Carmelita Sarno-Davin, Jimmy B. Boco, Carmel Gil Grado, Dante A. Baguio, and Rowena Apao-Adlawan.
Region XII – RTC Judges Wenida B.M. Papandayan, Ali Ombra R. Bacaraman, Mylene A. Macumbal, Jose T. Tabosares, Leonor S. Quinones, Jose T. Tabosares, Arvin Sadiri B. Balagot, Allan Edwin P. Boncavil, and Arvin Sadiri B. Balagot.
MeTC Judges Ayn Marie Grace G. Barit-Carig, Jesusa R. Lapuz-Gaudiano, Emilio R. Gonzales III, Earl Warren B. Castillo, Ghia Chrystellyne 0. Hurtado-Juan, Katlyn Anne C. Aguilar-Bilgera, Ellen V. Abesamis-Quinto, Allan B. Ariola, Marita Iris B. Laqui-Genilo, and Benelita J. Mones-Borromeo.
MTCC Judges Maria Rhodora Malabag-Peralta, Ryan Scott F. Robinos, Herbert D. Renomeron, Yvonne C. Artiaga, Cecilia S. Talapian, Esmeralda B. David, Jennifer M. Pepito-Maniwang, Larnie Fleur P. Kim, Derela D. Devera-Tamaray, and Genevieve Tabada-Lawas.
MTC and MCTC Region 1 – Judges Mylene May A. Cabuag, Hercules R. Doria, Concepcion A. Macabitas, Brionelle La Realesa A. Dunuan, Marty P. Cachapero, Charina G. Sabangan-Ambat, Djoanivie A. Junasa, Charisma Naida C. Martin, Irene May J. Velasco, and Wenceslao R. Caoayan.
Region II – Judges Geronimo I. Ventura Ill, Jacqueline A. Guzman, Meliton C. Galia, Lornabeth T. Ucol, Shirley M. Tagao-Gumiran, Rogelio S. Anapi, Alfred Alex L. Castillo, Pascual D. Kimayong Jr., and Mira Miranda Cabulisan-Callangan
Region III – Judges Chona G. Pichay, Vicente S. Fernandez, Jr., Elenita D. Pascua-Sennido, Emmanuel Benedict C. Evangelista, Philip M. Cruz, Maria Belinda C. Rama, Jonald E. Hernandez, Vanessa F. Bernardo-Agawin, Jennifer A. Grospe-Apacible, and Julius A. Java.
Region IV – Judges Ryan R. Espinosa, Nickie T. Viaje, Eric S. Fortaleza, Emmanuel Jesus P. Santos, John Andrew R. De Guzman, John Paul A. Andamo, Josephine B. Nichols, Arnel B. Caparros, Robert V. Marcelo, and Roy E. Cheng.
Region V – Judges Joveliza P. Soriano, Leannierose Fenis-Sucatre, Ruby Charina 0. Balmes, Jason G. Rodenas, Dara M. Tormes, Deanna D. Pena, Myra S. Mangente, Juan Antonio G. Cereno, Jason G. Rodenas, and Tristan Jeff B. Cledera.
Region VI – Judges Enrique Marja Santiago B. Barcelona, Kim Oliver P. Enojas, Carmela Mae F. Mallada-Tunguia, Charmaine E. Mascardo, Cecilia Aronee Celiz-Hofilena, Gonzalo S. Espa, Gemma F. Bordon-Tady, Eva S. Padilla, Lunel J. Gabyoyo, and Meliza Joan P. Berano-Robite.
Region VII – Judges Jose Lindo U. Belarmino, Hannah A. Singco, Ameli Amor R. Estrada, Ma. Corazon Sarrosa Perez, Olivia C. Migrino-Mende, Mildred R. Maglajos, Jose Lindo U. Belarmino, Meriam L. Ballener-Tradio, Jocelyn G. Uy-Po, and Ma. Katrina C. Gonzalez-Pasicaran.
Region VIII – Judges Alejo A. Calvo, Adryan S. Mauro, Herbert D. Renomeron, Alan A. Villar, Gorgonia F. Pjneda-Encina, Cesar R. Abit, Hannah Reyes-Delgado, Prudencio 0. Borgueta Jr., Ritchie B. Reyes, and Alan A. Villar.
Region IX – Judges Johnabel H. Tabunda, Hannibal R. Morales, Jerry B. Patcho, Agapito G. Cartagenas, Anthony B. Galleposo, Jerry A. Andrino, Nimfa B. Carreon-Padao, Ryan B. Delena, Joseph Lester S. Patay and Maria Theresa Llagas-Oh.
Region X – Judges Andres D. Lorenzo Ill, Hazel 0. Perez, Carlou Mae W. Toribio, Mary Sheila B. Pestolante, Mariflo S. Agreda, Gemabell L. Manisan, Maureen F. Chua, Dymphna C. Cozon-Labindao, Kathleen E. Llenares-Cezar, and Robert B. Gonzaga.
Region XI – Judges Sheila D. Resabal-Vinluan, Josie R. Abu Felipe, Ma. Pelisa Corazon S. Parido Dinopol, Sheila D. Resabal-Vinluan, Romeo Julius S. Bomediano, Gay Gerle T. Masepequena-Peloton, Marie Grace V. Entila-Eborde, Marisue A. Llanes, Clarissa M. Superable-Develos, and Chalmer C. Gevieso.
Region XII -- Judges Helegarde S. De Pedro, Francisco J. Cordero Jr., Vispocious I. Ramos Jr., Bai Israhayda C. Sinsuat, Anihairah B. Hadji Omar, Hasmin I. Pangcatan, Prince L. Losaria, Garry Mark N. Ferolin, Gil A. De La Banda, and Mary Sheila B. Pestolante.