Supreme Court hikes fines on erring judges
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has set higher fines for judges found guilty of administrative offenses.
According to the Amendments to the Fines Provided in Rule 140 of the Revised Rules of the Court, which shall take effect on May 31, the high court increased the fines from P1,000 to P40,000 to the current range from P1,000 to P200,000.
In a statement, the Supreme Court said a respondent found guilty of a serious charge may be dismissed or suspended and slapped with a fine of more than P100,000 but not exceeding P200,000.
If the respondent is guilty of a less serious charge, the same may be suspended and fined not less than P35,000 but not exceeding P100,000.
In cases when a respondent is found guilty of a light charge, the same may be fined not less than P1,000 but not exceeding P35,000 and/or be sanctioned with censure, reprimand or admonition with warning.
The Supreme Court said it had adjusted the amounts “to harmonize the fine imposed with the period of suspension from office and considering the depreciation of the value of the Philippine peso.”
