SC probes 4 judges allegedly involved in illegal drugs

The Supreme Court (SC) has launched a fact finding investigation on the four incumbent judges linked by President Rodrigo Duterte to the illegal drug trade.

Tasked to do the investigation was retired SC Justice Roberto Abad, who has 30 days from the submission of testimonies by the Palace and judges concerned to make a recommendation to the 15-man high tribunal, SC spokesperson Theodore Te said in a press briefing on Tuesday.

Covered by the probe are the following:

• Judge Antonio  Reyes - Baguio City, RTC branch 61
• Judge Adriano Savillo - Iloilo City, RTC branch 30
• Judge Domingo Casiple - Kalibo, Aklan, RTC branch 7
• Judge Exequil Dagala - MTC Dapa-Socorro, Surigao

Te said the high court treated Duterte's announcement last Sunday as a "complaint" against the four judges.

As a result, the SC directed Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to furnish Abad and the judges complaint affidavits within seven days.

The judges, in turn, are required to submit their replies within seven days from receipt of the complaint.

Abad may also require the judges to personally appear to explain their side, according to Te.

"This is a standard investigation. We have been doing this for so many years. The only difference is there are four judges and a retired justice who's been asked to resolve the investigation," Te said.

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno earlier found Duterte's pronouncement premature, fearing this render the concerned judge "useless" in discharging his or her duties.

"Thus this Court has been careful, all too aware that more often than not, a good reputation is the primary badge of credibility and the only legacy that many of our judges can leave behind," Sereno said in a letter to Duterte on Monday.

She added the announcement may spur some elements to consider judges as "acceptable collateral damage in the 'war on drugs.'" She also advised judges not to surrender to authorities if there was no arrest warrant against them.

Sereno then gave Duterte a background of the seven judges allegedly linked to the illegal drugs. Of the seven, only Reyes is handling drug cases.

Judge Lorenda Mupas (MTC Dasmariñas City, Cavite) was dismissed in 2007 for gross ignorance of law and misconduct while Judge Rene Gonzales (MTC Iloilo City) retired on June 20.

Judge Roberto Navidad (RTC Calbayog City, Samar) on the other hand, was killed by an unidentified gunman on Jan. 14, 2008.  — RSJ/KBK, GMA News