FULL support is being given to embattled law enforcers.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said he has personally called Bernard Batnag to inform him of the full support of the city while calling out Cabanatuan Judge Nelson Largo.
“Ako na lang ang i-subpoena niya. Ako na lang ang tawagin niya,” said Magalong.
In a letter to Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, the mayor relayed the “unprofessional and arrogant display of judicial power by a judge to bully those implementing the law. If not rectified by the Supreme Court, would certainly have a chilling effect on our traffic law enforcers. Not to mention, a chilling effect on the public.”
Earlier, Largo issued an order directing Baguio Peace and Order Safety Division (POSD) officer Batnag and the chief of the traffic management of the market to explain within 72 hours why they should not be cited for indirect contempt of court.
“May I respectfully bring to your attention the grievance of our traffic law enforcers who were lawfully and regularly performing their duties and functions but were charged by Judge Nelson Largo for indirect contempt in his own court at the Cabanatuan City Trial Court to be heard on November 29,” stated Magalong.
The mayor added that the judge committed two traffic infractions in the city on October 25 -- the illegal parking of his motor vehicle at the public utility jeepneys (PUJs) loading area at Kayang and a violation of the city number coding ordinance.
The issuance of a citation ticket and confiscation of the plate number angered the judge who castigated the police personnel of the Traffic Management Unit.