SC: Muntinlupa judge guilty of misconduct, neglect in de Lima case

The Supreme Court has found Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 256 Presiding Judge Romeo Buenaventura guilty of simple misconduct and simple neglect of duty in handling the drug case of former Senator Leila de Lima.

In a resolution dated November 13, 2024, the SC First Division fined Buenaventura P18,000 for misconduct, citing violations of the New Code of Judicial Conduct, and another P18,000 for neglect of duty. 

He was also sternly warned that any repeat offense would be dealt with more severely.

The ruling stemmed from an administrative complaint, filed by de Lima’s lawyers Atty. Teddy Esteban Rigoroso and Atty. Rolly Francis Peoro, that alleged Buenaventura’s actions contributed to delays in the case.

De Lima, a former senator and Justice Secretary, had filed a motion for bail in December 2020, followed by another in March 2023. However, Buenaventura only ruled on the motions on June 7, 2023, denying them because "the evidence of guilt is strong."

In June 2024, a Muntinlupa court granted de Lima's demurrer to evidence, effectively dismissing her third and final drug case. 

She had previously been acquitted in two other drug cases—in February 2021 and May 2023—while a Quezon City court also dismissed her two disobedience cases.

De Lima was released on bail in November 2023 after being detained in Camp Crame since February 2017 over drug allegations. — DVM, GMA Integrated News