Pasay court cites Abalos, lawyer in contempt

MANILA, Philippines–The Pasay City Regional Trial Court ordered the arrest of the lawyer of former Commission on Elections chair Benjamin Abalos after he,
together with the former chair, have been cited in contempt.

Pasay RTC Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas meted the penalty of 10 days imprisonment or a fine of P2,000 each on Abalos and his lawyer Brigido Dulay after finding them guilty of contempt for making malicious statements against the court.

Abalos is currently detained in connection with the electoral sabotage case filed against him late last year.

Court Researcher Felda Domingo confirmed to reporters that the warrant for Dulay’s arrest has been issued Monday.

“Pursuant to the allegations in their motion to inhibit, what they have stated was offensive to the integrity and honor of the court as well as to the judiciary,” Domingo said in an interview.

Abalos, through Dulay, alleged in their motion asking for the inhibition of Judge Mupas that an alleged emissary of Mupas approached him and allegedly asked for P100 million in exchange for favorable action by Mupas on Abalos’ case.

He was referring to the negotiation initiated by two lawyers for a P100-million payoff for a favorable decision on the two counts of electoral sabotage.

Abalos said in a hearing last month he told the emissary of Mupas that if indeed their offer is true then the judge must be crazy.

Meanwhile, Dulay, in a text message said the warrant issued against him is premature.

“The warrant is premature because we still have time to file a reconsideration. Obviously, this is another example of the bias and partiality of Judge Mupas. Its clear he just wants to get back at Chairman Abalos and myself for the revelations we made about the alleged emissaries. We will take all legal remedies to respond to this precipitate and unlawful action of Judge Mupas.”