CABANATUAN Judge Nelson Largo has retracted his stand to summon traffic enforcer Bernard Batnag to court over a traffic ticket.
In an order sent to the City Legal Office, Largo said “considering that necessary documents had already been forwarded to the court and finding the same to be meritorious, the required explanation is now deemed mooted. The end of justice having been sufficiently met, the order dated October 2, setting the proceeding for hearing on November 29 is hereby lifted and set aside. The subpoena and scheduled hearing on November 29 is hereby cancelled.”
On Monday, the City Council heard public outcry and Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong’s plea to declare Largo persona non grata for unacceptable behavior in the city.
The council said the actions of the judge is unwanted and unacceptable and the declaration is both a condemnation and a manifestation of support for the embattled traffic enforcer Batnag.
Earlier, Magalong sent a letter to Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta for what he described as an unprofessional and arrogant display of judicial power by Largo.
The judge committed two traffic infractions in the city of Baguio on October 25, illegal parking of his motor vehicle at the PUJ loading area at Kayang and violation of the city number coding ordinance.
Largo then issued an order directing Batnag and the chief of the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the market to explain within 72 hours why they should not be cited for indirect contempt of court.