Olongapo judge preventively suspended over alleged bribery, inefficiency

The Supreme Court has preventively suspended an Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Judge for alleged bribery, inefficiency, and engagement in activities that presented conflict of interest.

In a resolution released to media on Wednesday, the SC said the suspension of Judge Norman Pamintuan of the Regional Trial Court of  Olongapo City, Zambales, Branch 73, was "effective immediately."

Taking his place as acting presiding judge "until further orders from the Court" is Judge Jose L. Bautista Jr, said the SC Public Information Office.

The preventive suspension against Pamintuan stemmed from the complaints of other first and second level court judges of Olongapo City, which were raised during the judicial audit conducted last January by the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA).

SC Public Information Office did not elaborate on Pamintuan's alleged wrongdoings, but said the high court directed Pamintuan to comment on the complaints against him, as well as to show cause “why no disciplinary action should be taken against him for acts which result in conflict-of interest on his part.”

Pamintuan was likewise directed to explain his failure to decide 16 cases within the mandated period despite his minimal caseload.

The high court said that the matter will be treated as an administrative complaint and consolidated with another OCA complaint against Pamintuan. —Mark Merueñas/KBK, GMA News