One of the judges assigned to handle the criminal cases against Parojinog siblings Ozamiz City Vice Mayor Nova Princess and Reynaldo Jr. has recused from the case.
In a one-page order dated Aug. 8, 2017, Judge Salome P. Dungog of Ozamiz City Regional Trial Court, Branch 35, has inhibited from the case due to her compulsory retirement this month.
“On the ground of compulsory retirement from public service of the Presiding Judge of this court this month—August 2017, having no more time to hear or try the cases or motions in connection thereof which require or need immediate action as well as for reason of delecadeza in order to preclude doubt or suspicion from both parties concerned …the undersigned hereby inhibits from handling the same,” Judge Dungog said.
Nova Princess is facing trial for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, specifically Section 11 for possession of dangerous drugs and violation of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition under Section 28 of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Her brother Reynaldo Jr. has been charged with three counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. He is also facing a separate case for illegal possession of explosives under RA 9516 and possession of dangerous drugs under RA 9165.
The siblings were arrested in a simultaneous raids conducted by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) last month.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has asked the Supreme Court to order the transfer of the cases of Parojinog siblings from the Ozamiz RTC to Quezon City RTC.
In a three-page letter addressed to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno dated Aug. 17, 2017, Aguirre manifested to the tribunal the concerns of Ozamiz judges and prosecutors who both expressed fear of threats once they are tasked to handle the cases in the city.
“I would like to stress that notwithstanding the death of Mayor Parojinog, their clout should not be underestimated. The fact that they have been in power in Ozamiz City for so long is a clear indication that they have capacity to influence, if not threaten the prosecution witnesses, the judges and the prosecution and subvert the criminal proceedings in Ozamiz City in their favor,” Aguirre told the SC magistrates.
Aguirre sought the immediate transfer of their cases to Quezon City since the suspects have been detained inside the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame.
“Transferring the venue of trial to the National Capital Judicial Region will obviate the need for additional security personnel to be assigned to the witnesses and more BJMP security escorts for the accused, thereby reducing the cost of trial. Transferring the cases will deter the accuseds agents from possibly threatening, inflicting harm, or influencing the prosecution witnesses,” Aguirre said.