Judge Rudio: I am not a squatter
PUBLIC LAND OR PARK?
What would normally appear as legal claims and counterclaims in a regular court trial are now posited and running in media, with a twist. The “plaintiff” is a former judge and the “respondent” is a sitting judge.
Last week, City legal officer George Mejia identified Regional Trial Court Judge Robert Rudio of Branch 40 (not 41 as earlier reported) as one of the squatters in the city’s Tondaligan Park.
Now comes Rudio’s retort. “I am not a squatter!”
He made this assertion during a brief interview with The PUNCH at his chamber.
Rudio has been listed by Dagupan City Task Force on Squatting and Urban Resettlement as among those allegedly illegally occupying a portion of the 72-hectare Tondaligan National Park in Bonuan, which is covered by Proclamation No. 98 issued in 1964 by then President Diosdado Macapagal.
Rudio expressed appreciation for the chance to air his side of the issue but begged off from a lengthy interview citing his busy schedule and claimed that his alleged illegal structure involves a long story that ” may take me more than one hour” to tell.
Rudio also said he has already submitted application documents with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, either for a pre-patent or miscellaneous sale.
“We are occupying a public land and we are informal settlers. The public land is outside the proclamation area in Dagupan City. I think I am entitled as a landless citizen of this country to apply (for) any public land which is administered by the DENR,” Rudio said.
He added that he can cite legal opinions and official communications on the matter issued by the DENR that “support my claim”.
“I am not afraid of anything because I am a judge and I am a lawyer also. I know my legal rights. Hindi naman ako law breaker. I don’t want to do that because I am supposed to administer justice,” the judge told THE PUNCH.
“That’s all I can say,” the judge said. “It’s a long story. I suggest you interview my lawyer. “
Rudio referred THE PUNCH to his lawyer, Atty. Juan Siapno Jr., whom, he said, can talk lengthily about the matter.
However, Siapno could not be reached by The PUNCH on any of the contact numbers provided by Rudio.—LM
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