Jovito Palparan Jr.
CITY OF MALOLOS—The case of kidnapping and serious illegal detention against retired Major General Jovito Palparan Jr. is the biggest and most controversial thus far for Judge Teodora Gonzales since she was assigned to Branch 14 of the Bulacan Regional Trial Court (RTC) in April 2010.
Gonzales, 55, shuns media interviews, but with a smile. “Leave that to others. I am low-profile,” she would often tell reporters.
A native of Calumpit town in Bulacan, Gonzales was assigned to the Public Attorney’s Office in Bulacan before she was appointed municipal circuit trial court judge in the towns of Apalit and San Simon in Pampanga.
She handled controversial election cases in Apalit.
She was appointed RTC judge by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2010.
“Judge Gonzales has a reputation of being strict and straight,” said Jesus Simbulan, chief of the Department of Justice prosecution office in Central Luzon.
Bulacan Executive Judge Renato Francisco described her as “a judge of competence and integrity.” Carmela Reyes-Estrope, Inquirer Central Luzon