THE Supreme Court (SC) has terminated its fact-finding investigation against three of the four judges identified by President Rodrigo Duterte to be involved in illegal drug trade in the country.
The SC magistrates, in a unanimous decision, terminated the probe against Judge Exequil Dagala of MPC Dapa Socorro Surigao, Judge Adriano Savio of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Iloilo, and Judge Domingo Casiple of RTC Branch 7 Kalibo Aklan for lack of evidence.
"Wherefore, the Court hereby declares that no evidence has been put forward to link Judges Exequil Dagala, Adriano Savillo, Domingo Casiple Jr. to any involvement in the use, trade, or proliferation of illegal drugs and thereby this fact-finding investigation against them is hereby terminated," the decision released by the SC on Wednesday read.
As to allegations against Judge Antonio Reyes of RTC Branch 61, Baguio City, retired SC Justice Roberto Abad, the head of the fact-finding probe, in his report said he is still awaiting a reply to a query.
The SC in its investigation found that no case has been established against the said judges.
The Court also noted that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) failed to present witnesses against them amid the Court's repeated pleas.
'Duterte's announcement premature'
The SC said the "premature" announcement of Duterte against the judges only tainted the judges' reputation and placed their lives in danger.
In his concurring opinion, Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said the announcement of the President only shamed the accused judges.
"The public announcement regarding the involvement of the judges concerned made by the President was, at the very least, premature. It appears that it was not fully supported by evidence that were professionally validated and which could be presented in a court of law. All it achieved was to shame judges and other similarly situated," Leonen said.
The Justice further added: "Crimes are wrongs against the society. I am of the firm conviction that they cannot be deterred by any wrong. If we truly desire a society that works to rid itself from the menace of illegal drugs and corruption, we should strengthen the institutions that effect the rule of law. Support should be given to those who struggle to do what is right."
While they remain committed in cleansing their ranks, the SC magistrates in their decision also said they will maintain the SC's responsibility to protect the reputation of the judges tasked to uphold the law.
"We affirm our commitment not to shrink from our responsibility of imposing disciplinary action upon an erring judicial officer or personnel. Yet we must also be steadfast in our understanding to not be the instrument that destroy the reputation of any member of the bench by pronouncing guilt merely on speculation," the High Tribunal said.
Duterte in his speech in Davao on August 7 linked seven judges to illegal drug trade in the country. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno in a letter released on August 15, however, said 2 of these judges identified by the President already retired from their post while the other one was killed in 2008. (Sunnex)
