High-profile criminal cases normally begin in the regional trial courts or in the Sandiganbayan. The presiding magistrates bear the brunt of public scrutiny; they are praised or damned by the peanut gallery. In public interest cases, the sub judice rule is relaxed in favor of fair comment and free speech. Ironically, trial judges are put on trial in the courts of public opinion. AS RECENT EXAMPLES OF THESE IRONIES, three criminal cases for alleged drug trafficking were filed against former senator Leila de Lima (and several others) that were raffled to three branches of the Regional Trial Courts of Muntinlupa (RTC-M).

https://opinion.inquirer.net/166389/trial-judges-on-trial-by-the-gallery

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