The Supreme Court has ordered an investigation for corruption of Baguio City Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Reyes who was publicly tagged by President Duterte last year as protector of the illegal drug trade.
In a resolution dated February 21 but released only yesterday, the SC adopted the fact-finding report of retired Associate Justice Roberto Abad who recommended that “an administrative case for corruption be instituted” against Reyes.
“The Office of the Court Administrative is directed to proceed with the inventory of cases decided by Judge Antonio Reyes to determine whether there is basis for the allegation that convictions were reversed in exchange for money,” the SC said in the resolution.
Also ordered investigated was Reyes’ driver for bribery. The driver reportedly accepted money from litigants on behalf of Reyes.
The SC asked the National Bureau of Investigation to help locate the witnesses identified in the report submitted by Abad who had been designated to undertake a fact-finding investigation on allegations that some judges are involved in illegal drug trade or are acting as protectors.
Reyes had denied the allegations against him. He said he abhorred corruption such that he dismissed one of his staff in his sala for collecting money from a client. (Rey G. Panaligan)