SC suspends Olongapo City judge on charges of bribe try, inefficiency, conflict of interest

MANILA, Philippines – As part of its continuing campaign to instill discipline among officers of the court, the Supreme Court has suspended an Olongapo City judge as he faced investigation for alleged corruption and slacking off while on the job.

In a resolution on March 9, the high court ordered the preventive suspension of Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 73 Judge Norman Pamintuan pending his investigation for allegations of “attempted bribery, inefficiency and engagement in activities that presented conflict of interest.”

Pamintuan cannot enter his court and office until further orders from the court.

Pamintuan’s fellow lower court judges in Olongapo City raised the allegations against him during the judicial audit undertaken by the Office of the Court Administrator in January.

“The High Court directed Judge Pamintuan to comment on the complaints against him, as well as show cause ‘why no disciplinary action should be taken against him for acts which result in conflict of interest on his part,'” read a statement the high court issued on Wednesday.

The court, however, did not give details on Pamintuan’s actions that might constitute conflict of interest.

The court also directed the judge to explain “his failure to decide 16 cases within the mandated period despite his minimal caseload.”

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has many times underscored the judiciary’s continuing, “necessary but painful cleansing” within its ranks and efforts to “set a gold standard in public service.”

Over recent weeks, the high court has made public its administrative rulings, including decisions on disciplinary cases against lawyers and court employees. SFM