Executive Judge Fe Lualhati Bustamante of the Negros Oriental Regional Trial Court yesterday decried as unfair the claims of some groups and individuals about delays in the issuances of search warrants.

Bustamante was referring to a report that the Negros Oriental Provincial Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking had passed a resolution seeking a special court for faster issuances of search warrants in cases involving trafficking-in-person.

The group was referring to what they perceived as delays in the issuances of court orders that affect law enforcement operations against suspects.

But Bustamante, who is also presiding RTC Branch 33 judge, explained that judges are guided by a Supreme Court memorandum circular that states that applications for search warrants must be raffled off.

She cited Sec. 11 of the Supreme Court's A.M. No. 03-8-02 which states that, except for cases related to illegal drugs and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, over which the Executive Judge has the sole jurisdiction, all other applications for search warrants must be raffled off.

Bustamante said the applications are to be raffled among the 14 RTC salas, with every Thursday as regular raffle day.

However, in instances when there is an urgency, the RTC can expedite the issuance of a search warrant, she added.

Bustamante said the RTC judges and representatives from various law enforcement agencies reached a compromise agreement during a meeting held Thursday.

She did not elaborate on the agreement but assured the public that the judiciary is doing its best in supporting the campaign against criminality.*JG

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