There shall be appointed for each judge of the court an alternate judge possessed of the same qualifications as the judge. His appointment shall be for the same term and made in the same manner as the judge. He shall sit as acting judge of the court in any case if the judge is:
A. Absent from the court;
B. Unable to act as judge; or
C. Disqualified from acting as judge in the case. (2000 Code § 6-106)