SC may ask Pampanga judge to answer Delfin Lee’s charges

The Supreme Court may require the executive judge of San Fernando, Pampanga regional trial court (RTC) to respond to the administrative and criminal charges filed by detained Globe Asiatique president Delfin Lee.

“We will definitely give the respondent an opportunity to present her side, but we have to review it first and find if there is merit in the allegations,” Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said in a text message.

The Office of the Court Administrator has supervision over trial courts in the country and the task to probe erring judges.

Lee has accused Pampanga Executive Judge Divina Luz Simbulan of gross ignorance of the law, usurpatio of official function and violation of the anti-graft law.

Marquez said he would look into Lee’s complaint against RTC Executive Judge Divina Luz Simbulan as reported in the media.

“Administrative complaints are confidential in nature. Just the same, we are also looking at the news reports,” he explained.

Based on Lee’s complaint filed Thursday, the judge is allegedly meddling in the P6.6-billion syndicated estafa case against him pending before the sala of RTC, Branch 42 of San Fernando, Pampanga presided by Judge Maria Amifaith Fider-Reyes.

Lee specifically cited Simbulan’s actions of “rendering an opinion that I can be interviewed by the media, an opinion that is contrary to the position of Judge Fider-Reyes; and coordinating with the BJMP officials of Telabastagan for my immediate transfer despite the absence of any lawful order from Judge Fider-Reyes.”

Marquez earlier said his office would look into the controversy, which has been reported in the media this week, after receiving a copy of the motion of the controversial developer complaining against his imminent transfer of detention.

Lee is facing a syndicated estafa case in connection with the 2008 housing project with the Pag-Ibig Fund worth over P6-billion.