Wednesday, April 09, 2008 Judge: Arming judges okay, clear conscience better By Rhodamae M. Hernandez
REGIONAL Trial Court (RTC) Executive Judge Isaac Robillo said arming judges for their protection is a good move, considering the threats they have to live with.
"Okay naman yan for our protection but as I often say, the best protection for judges is a clean conscience," Robillo told Sun.Star Davao.
Robillo, however, said there area cases that no matter how fair the decision, there will always be litigants who will not be satisfied.
"May iba na they will get even kasi ang iniisip nila, hindi naging (because they are thinking the decision was not) fair but they can always appeal. I even reconsider a decision kung alam ko nagkamali ako (once I realize that I've made a mistake). They should not take it against the judge," Robillo said.
RTC Branch 16 Judge Emmanuel Carpio agreed with Robillo, adding that arming judges will be a deterrent to the enemies. He also agrees that no matter how fair a judgment is, there will always be discontent, especially from those who feel that the decision is against them.
"They (judges) need it as their means of protection. Kahit ang Comelec (Commission on Elections), they even exempt us sa permits to carry during canvassing," Chief Prosecutor Raul B. Bendigo said in an interview.
Public Attorneys Office chief Ridgeway Tanjili said it would be needed since lives of judges are being threatened.
Just last week, the Supreme Court (SC) approved the guidelines governing the handgun acquisition program of judges of lower courts who are at the receiving end of death threats in line of duty.
