Cabanatuan judge told to explain subpoena for enforcers who took his license plate

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Court Administrator (OCAD) has ordered a Cabanatuan judge to comment on reports that he issued a subpoena to traffic enforcers who issued him an illegal parking ticket in Baguio.

Cabanatuan Municipal Trial Court Branch 3 Judge Nelson V. Lago reportedly ordered Bernard Batnag of the Public Order and Safety Division to explain why he should not be cited for indirect contempt.

The subpoena was directed to Batnag and the traffic enforcers who not only issued him a parking ticket but also removed his license plate last Oct. 25 while he was in Baguio City attending a security seminar.

Hosaka said the OCAD, who has administrative supervision over all courts in the country, opts to hear the side of Lago.

“I was told by Court Administrator Midas P. Marquez that he has requested Dep. Court Administrator for Luzon, Raul B. Villanueva, to ask Judge Nelson Lago to comment on these news reports,” Supreme Court’s Public Information Chief and Spokesperson Atty. Brian Keith Hosaka told reporters.

In his subpoena order, the judge said settling the fine and recovering his licensed plate resulted in the delay in the scheduled hearings and administration of justice.

READ: Cabanatuan judge subpoenas Baguio enforcers who took his license plates

Edited by JE