SC admin looking into Baguio judge’s alleged meddling in drunk cabbie's arrest

Court administrator Midas Marquez on Thursday said his office is already looking into the case of a Baguio judge who had allegedly interfered in the arrest of a drunk taxi driver on New Year's Eve.

"We are already looking into it and gathering information before we require the concerned judge to comment," Marquez said in a text message. The Supreme Court's Office of the Court Administrator supervises all judges and court personnel in the country.

Baguio authorities on Tuesday arrested a taxi driver who was caught on video trying to run over a Baguio patrol officer.

However, before they could file a case against him, Baguio City Judge Roberto Mabalot fetched him from the precinct.

According to the officers, Mabalot suddenly entered the precinct and checked the driver's medico-legal certificate, which proved the driver's inebriated state, before inviting him out.

In his defense, Mabalot insisted that he did not interfere in the case and only answered a request asking him to check on the driver for "alleged violation of reckless driving."

"He was in fear... and asked me if he will be detained. Knowing that the penalty for recklessness is only a FINE, I told him he cannot be detained," he said.

Mabalot added that he scolded the driver for his actions. He also claimed that when he asked the officers if there was more to discuss, they responded in the negative.

"Thereupon, I asked the policemen surrounding the driver, one of them said 'yes sir we have blottered already.' Thereafter, I saw a citation ticket being handed to the driver, so I asked the police this 'adda pay'. They responded 'awanen sir'," he added. — MDM, GMA News