The old adage “Justice delayed is justice denied” is one that is not lost in a trial court in Urdaneta City.

While majority of trial courts in the country are saddled with hundreds of many pending cases for decision, the court of Judge Joven Costales, presiding judge of Regional Trial Court, Branch 45, Urdaneta City enjoys the rare distinction of not having a single pending case for decision as of the end of June.

Likewise, court personnel have noted that no motion is left unresolved and pending for weeks and months.

The record of Judge Costales was relayed by the Branch Clerk of Court Atty. Max Pascua to the Supreme Court’s Committee on Zero Backlog of Cases headed by Justice Reynato S. Puno.

But what does it take to accomplish such a feat?

Costales, known as the “Hanging Judge of Pangasinan” and twice a candidate for judicial excellence,is normally seen working during lunch, on the bus, at home on Saturdays and Sundays.

Local lawyers, who have experienced a trial under the judge, have noted that Judge Costales diligently makes it a point to dispose cases within the period prescribed by the Supreme Court.

To date, Costales has sentenced to death 26 accused and more than 30 persons for life imprisonment.

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