De Gracia to retire on September 25

CEBU - Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Fortunato de Gracia is set to retire on September 25, the day he will be turning 70.

De Gracia, who is on his seventh year of service as a judge, served as chief of the Office of the Constabulary Judge Advocate and as deputy regional commander of the Philippine National Police in Central Visayas prior to his stint in the judiciary. 

He was conferred a Plaque of Recognition by President Gloria Arroyo in July 2004 for his crusade against violence and illegal drugs.

De Gracia said he will be at the Supreme Court in Manila from Sept. 16 and 17 to attend the Judicial Excellence Awarding ceremony this year. He will then avail of his five-day forfeitable leave from Sept. 18 to Sept. 24.

De Gracia sent a memorandum last Thursday to all RTC judges notifying them of his absence and retirement.

The Supreme Court has not yet revealed who will take his place.

Second Vice Executive Judge Silvestre Maamo of RTC Branch 9 will be taking over while waiting for the Supreme Court to appoint the next executive judge based on the recommendations of Court Administrator Jose Perez.

Maamo is next in line to take over De Gracia’s functions after first executive judge Ramon Codilla of RTC Branch 9 retired last Aug. 8.

According to De Gracia’s memorandum, judge Sylva Aguirre-Paderanga of RTC Branch 16 will temporarily handle the pending cases handled by De Gracia.

De Gracia was appointed as the RTC executive judge in 2007. — Jasmin R. Uy/BRP (THE FREEMAN)