Labra inhibits from Citilink case

CEBU, Philippines - Regional Trial Court Judge Generosa Labra inhibited herself from the civil case filed by One Citilink Terminal Inc. against the Cebu City government after her impartiality to rule on the case has been questioned.

Labra said the city government had already manifested doubts in her “probity” to continue handling the case.

“After a careful self-examination, the undersigned voluntarily desist from sitting in this case,” read Labra’s order dated November 27, 2015.

The records of the case will be remanded to the office of the clerk of court for re-raffling.  The terminal management filed the civil case against the city government after Mayor Michael Rama issued a closure order in July for allegedly operating with an expired business permit and unpaid obligations.

It asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order to stop the implementation of the closure order. The court granted the petition on September 14 and subsequently issued a writ of preliminary mandatory injunction.

The order was assailed by the City Legal Office arguing that it should not have been granted considering that there is a pending motion for inhibition. The city lawyers also pointed out a perceived bias of the court in giving the complainant 15 days to comment on the motion for reconsideration instead of the usual 10 days.  Labra earlier denied the motion for inhibition filed against her.  — Mae B. Miasco/FPL (FREEMAN)