Baguio judge slammed for ‘intimidating’ cops, ‘interfering’ in abusive taxi driver’s arrest

Police authorities lamented the alleged interference of a judge in Baguio City in the case of an abusive taxi driver, according to a report by James Agustin on GMA News' Balitanghali on Thursday.

Baguio authorities on Tuesday arrested a drunk taxi driver who was caught on video trying to run over Patrolman Julius Walang.

However, even before authorities could file a case against him at the police station, the taxi driver was fetched by Baguio City Judge Roberto Mabalot.

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.

Due to this, they were forced to issue only a traffic citation ticket against the driver.

"Nakita ulit ni judge 'yung ticket tapos sabi niya, ‘purely traffic violation lang ito, purely fines ito, walang detention dito. So wala kayong reason na i-hold siya rito ngayon,' so umalis na po sila." a desk officer said.

"Hindi man lang kami kinausap, hindi nagtanong kung ano nangyari basta pumunta direkta andun lang kami basta malakas 'yung boses niya kaya natameme na kami lahat, na-intimidate na kami hindi na nakapagsalita," Walang added.

The Baguio City Police Office expressed disappointment with how the judge handled the matter.

"Kung sa tingin po niya wala kaming karapatan na hawakan o i-detain ang tao, dapat i-contest niya ito sa proper forum hindi ho niya basta kinuha," Baguio City Police Director Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said.

They are also planning to charge the driver for driving under the influence of liquor, direct assault upon an agent of a person in authority, resisting arrest, grave threat, and oral defamation.

"Itutuloy ko na lang po 'yung kaso dahil 'yun naman po talagang gusto ko dahil masakit rin sa kalooban ko at sa PNP na ginaganun mga pulis sir," Walang said.

Judge's side

In a text message to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Mabalot insisted that he did not interfere with the case, adding that the police could confirm this for him.

"I declare that I did not at all interfere. The police will confirm this fact," the judge said.

According to Mabalot, he was in the Justice Hall when he received a request asking him to check up on the taxi driver for an "alleged violation of reckless driving."

"Upon arrival thereat, I saw the driver seated in front [of] a lady on a computer. I asked him if he is giving a sworn statement; and also asked the policemen the reason. They showed the results of tests conducted by the BGHMC," Mabalot said.

Mabalot added that he also scolded the driver, who the judge admitted was the driver of the taxi of his relative.  In the viral video, the name of the taxi operator, "Mabalot," could be seen on the vehicle's door.

"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," Mabalot said.

Mabalot claimed that he asked the officers if there was more to discuss and the officers responded negatively.

"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.

The judge, however, did not state in his reply if he was aware that the drunk driver had tried running over a traffic policeman. 

GMA News Online is still trying to reach the Office of the Court Administrator, which supervises all judges and court personnel in the Philippines. — Joahna Lei Casilao/MDM, GMA News