The Supreme Court (SC) decided yesterday to conduct a fact-finding investigation on the alleged involvement in illegal drugs of four incumbent trial court judges named by President Duterte.
In a resolution issued after its full court session, the SC treated the speech last Sunday of the President as a complaint against Judges Exequil Dagala of the municipal trial court (MTC) in Dapa-Socorro, Surigao; Judge Adriano Savillo of the regional trial court (RTC) in Iloilo City; Judge Domingo Casiple of RTC in Kalibo, Aklan; and Judge Antonio Reyes of RTC in Baguio City.
In a press briefing, SC Spokesman Theodore O. Te said the High Court asked Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea to submit complaint-affidavits against the four judges within seven days.
The four judges, on the other hand, were ordered to submit their answers also within seven days from receipt of the complaints.
Retired SC Justice Roberto A. Abad was named the sole investigator and was asked to terminate the proceedings in 30 days from receipt of the answers from the judges.
Abad was also asked to submit his recommendation to the SC as a full court.
Originally, seven judges were named by the President as involved in illegal drugs.
In a letter sent by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P. A. Sereno the other day, the President was told that:
“Lorenda Mupas was dismissed in 2007 as MTC Judge of Dasmarinas, Cavite for gross ignorance of the law/misconduct. We request that her dishonorable discharge be duly considered and that she be not referred to as part of the judiciary as of nine years ago.
“Judge Roberto Navidad, formerly of the RTC, Branch 32, Calbayog City, Samar was killed on 14 January 2008 at the age of 69. (REY PANALIGAN)
