QC judge inhibits self from ‘road bully’ case

MANILA, Philippines—A Quezon City judge has inhibited herself from hearing the direct assault case against tobacco firm executive Robert Blair Carabuena.

While Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 42 Judge Juris Dilinila-Callanta yesterday released an eight-page resolution denying for “utter lack of merit” a motion to inhibit filed earlier by Carabuena and his lawyers, the judge voluntarily inhibited herself “in order to dispel any doubt of the accused and his counsel and for their peace of mind.”

The case will be raffled off to another court.

Carabuena has been   accused of assaulting Metropolitan Manila Development Authority traffic constable Saturnino Fabros on Aug. 11, 2012. A roving broadcast news team captured the confrontation on video, which went viral online.

Carabuena claimed the judge was “partial, biased and hostile against him,” as she denied his request to reset the hearing but allowed it when Fabros’ camp made a similar request.

The prosecutors, on the other hand, accused Carabuena of trying to delay the trial.

Carabuena pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Aug. 15, 2013, after the court denied his motion to quash the case.