Court Administrator Midas Marquez of the Supreme Court yesterday said he finds it distressing that after a year of legal proceedings, the masterminds in the murder of Kabankalan Judge Henry Arles have not been brought to justice and they remain scot-free.

“If a highly respected and distinguished judge cannot get justice from our system, then who can?” he asked.

“I am just hoping this remains an isolated case and this will not happen to one of us, not to a judge, and not to any prosecutor,” he told the DAILY STAR.

Marquez said the SC continues to closely monitor the proceedings on the Arles case.

He hopes no one allowed themselves to be used, or influenced, in one way, or the other, Marquez said. “We all have our mandates and I hope we do what is expected of us”, he said.

Arles was killed in Barangay Manalad, Ilog, while on his way home at about 6:30 pm. on April 24, 2012.

The recommendation of the Department of Justice for the filing of murder charges against seven suspects in the killing of Judge Arles is a partial victory, his children, Philip and Ma. Estelita “Ria” Arles, said but added that they will not give up until the masterminds are brought to justice.

The Arles children welcomed the DOJ ruling that murder charges will be filed against Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade members Marvin Salve, Gerald Tabujara, Rustom Puro, Alejandro Capunong, Jessie Daguia and Eddie Fortunado, and Ilog government employee Emmanuel Medes.

But they questioned the dismissal by the DOJ of the murder complaint against Negros Occidental Vice Governor Genaro AlvarezJr., his son Ilog Mayor John Paul Alvarez and Cauayan Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara.

“We are dead-set on seeing that the masterminds are placed behind bars, our search for justice for our father will continue as long as we live,” Philip said.

Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th District), in response to the statements of the children of Judge Arles, said: “Look for the real mastermind of the crime and stop barking up the wrong tree.”

“The DOJ has already dismissed the murder complaint against my father, brother, and Vice Mayor Jerry Tabujara. The resolution is clear that there is no sufficient evidence linking them to the murder of Judge Arles,” Rep. Alvarez said.

“You have already hurt my family so much with your wrong and baseless accusations,” she said.

“We sympathize with you regarding your loss of Judge Arles, and we join you in your call for justice, but please don’t twist the facts. I advise you, open your eyes. Look for the real mastermind of the crime and stop barking up the wrong tree. When you do that, you’ll find justice," she added.*CPG

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