SC orders probe on judges named in Duterte’s drug list

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered a fact-finding investigation on the judges earlier accused by President Rodrigo Duterte of being involved in the illegal drug trade.

In its en banc session on Tuesday, August 9, the High Tribunal said it is considering the President’s speech last Sunday – where he named more than 150 alleged drug protectors – as a complaint against the 4 judges still in office. (READ: The Duterte list: Judges, mayors, police officials linked to drugs)

The 4 judges are Judge Exequil Dagala of the MTC, Dapa-Socorro, Surigao; Judge Adriano Savillo, RTC, Branch 30, Iloilo City; Judge Domingo Casiple, RTC, Branch 7, Kalibo, Aklan; and Judge Antonio Reyes, RTC, Branch 61, Baguio City, Benguet.

Three other judges were included in Duterte’s list. But in a letter to the President, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said the 3 were no longer with the judiciary.

Judge Rene Gonzalez, formerly of the MTCC, Branch 7, Iloilo City, retired last June, while former Dasmariñas Judge Lorenda Mupas was dismissed in 2007. (Sereno’s letter spelled “Lorinda” as “Lorenda”.)

Judge Roberto Navidad, formerly of the RTC, Branch 32, Calbayog City, Samar has been dead for 8 years. He was killed in January 2008 at the age of 69.

The High Court has ordered Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to submit complaint-affidavits against the 4 judges within 7 days.

The 4 respondents were also directed to submit their answers within 7 days from receipt of the complaint-affidavit.

Retired SC Associate Justice Roberto Abad was designated to conduct the fact-finding investigation.

Abad was SC Associate Justice from August 7, 2009, until his retirement on May 22, 2014.

He was the former dean of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, and a former Assistant Solicitor General in 1985.

The High Court directed Abad to conclude the investigation and make his recommendation to the SC en banc within 30 days from receipt of the answers. – with reports from Michael Bueza/Rappler.com