"The best protection of judges is to do justice for all," Regional Trial Court Branch 34 Judge Rosendo Bandal Jr. yesterday said of suggestions that they be provided with police or civilian bodyguards.

This came after the fatal shooting of RTC Branch 63 Judge Orlando Velasco by still unidentified motorcycle-riding suspects, in front of his residence in Bayawan City Wednesday evening.

Bandal said he personally does not want a security escort because "if it is really your time, no amount of security can prevent a determined assassin from pulling the trigger."

He said that their best protection is to come up with decisions which are clear to both litigants and plaintiffs. Bandal said he wouldn't comment on the case of the slain Judge Velasco, so as not to prejudice the ongoing police investigation.

Meanwhile, Bandal lamented that some lawyers are misleading their clients into believing they lost the case because of the judge, or they assure them of favorable judgment even if it's not.

Lawyers should be responsible in telling the truth, as when they should tell them they would lose the case for the penalty to be mitigated. Bandal also pointed out that judges decide cases based on evidences, especially on drugs charges where courts get varying reactions from convicted offenders, police authorities in case of acquittal and the community who sometimes resort to extrajudicial means to resolve cases.

In another report, a drug personality was meted a 12-year prison term by RTC Trial Court Branch 30 Presiding Judge Rafael Crescencio Tan, Jr. yesterday at the Hall of Justice, in Dumaguete City.

Convicted for illegal possession of prohibited drugs was Alan Cimafranca, who was charged with violating Section 11, Article II, or Republic Act. No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The court found Cimafranca guilty beyond reasonable doubt for possessing 0.03 grams of shabu. The suspect tested in a drug test.

The court also ordered him pay a fine of P400,000 as penalty, court records added.*JG

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