4 judges probed over PJA election row

The Supreme Court. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court ordered the Court of Appeals to conduct an investigation of the four judges embroiled in the controversial election of officers of the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) where an alleged influence peddler known as “Ma’am Arlene” has a hand in the result.

Ordered investigated were Judges Rommel Baybay of the Makati City Regional Trial Court Branch 132, Ralph Lee of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 83, Marino Rubia, Biñan Laguna RTC Branch 24 and Lyliha Aquino of Manila RTC Branch 24. Rubia was already dismissed from service by the high court on a separate case with the forfeiture of all his retirement benefits.

In an en banc resolution dated July 22, the high court ordered the Court of Appeals Presiding Justice to raffle the investigation for each judge. The judges will be investigated individually.

The high court also suspended its recognition of Lee and Aquino as officers of the PJA “until such time that this Court will issue a resolution revoking the suspension.”

The high court also recalled the designation of Aquino as acting Presiding Judge of Manila RTC and ordered her to return to her station at the Tuguegarao, Cagayan RTC Branch 4.

The action taken was on the initial report of the Investigating Committee headed by Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

Controversy hounded the PJA elections after it was reported that its outcome was influenced by a certain ‘Ma’am Arlene.’

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