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| Judge Montenegro |
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He firmly believes in the right of every litigant to a fair trial so he thoroughly and diligently studies every case in his sala.
Montenegro literally means black mountain. His all-white hair, however, belies that. Which also makes him one astonishing subject.
His court decision several months ago on a civil case involving around five hectares of residential land occupied by the Naga City Hall and several other government offices shoved him to the limelight because of the controversy it stirred. He had rendered a decision which said the Naga City government had no documents whatsoever to prove ownership of the land and must therefore pay its obligation to the owners, the Mariano family in Naga City. It meant a large sum of money that could greatly affect the fiscal position of the city government if conclusively decided by the higher courts. But more importantly, if ultimately upheld it could be an embarrassment to the leadership of the city government which had claimed to have achieved many things but failed to look into a basic need. The case is now pending in the Court of Appeals.
Regional Trial Court Judge Filemon Baracena Montenegro underwent a grueling experience after rendering the decision. Some of the media hailed the decision, others chastised him. There were unsavory allusions that he was influenced by certain factors in his decision. But he was unmoved and unnerved. He stood pat on what he felt was right.
Judge Montenegro was born on November 22, 1951 in Baao, Camarines Sur and therefore only 55 years old this year. But his hair had all turned white ever since he became judge, first as Municipal Trial Court Judge of Calabanga, Camarines Sur in October, 1991. Diligence and devotion to his duties must have been a factor because he is known to always thoroughly study every case brought to his sala believing firmly as he does on the right of every litigant to an impartial application of the law.
In January, 1997 he was promoted to City Judge of Naga City and in June 2000 to RTC Judge of Branch 26 also here in Naga City. He has thus served as judge for 16 years now. Prior to his appointment in the judiciary he was Legal Officer III at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) from July 1979 to October 1980 and Administrative Manager of the Coalfields Mining and Industrial Corporation from November, 1980 to 1984.
He finished his elementary at the Sta. Monica Academy in Baao and his high school at the University of Saint Anthony in Iriga City. He completed his Bachelor of Arts also at the University of Saint Anthony but took up his Bachelor of Laws at the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City.
Judge Montenegro is married to Ma. Mediatrix Llaga Montenegro, a teacher, with whom he has four children. Raymond Filemon is a registered physical therapist and nurse, Joannes Paulus is waiting for the results of the last bar examinations, James Michael, and Chiara Flora who is a second year college student at the Ateneo de Naga University taking up BS in Information Management.
