Baguio judge in narco list faces raps

MANILA, Philippines - A judge named by President Duterte as a protector of the illegal drug trade faces charges.

In a four-page resolution released yesterday, the Supreme Court (SC) approved the recommendation of a fact-finding panel led by retired associate justice Roberto Abad that an administrative case for corruption be filed against Baguio City Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Reyes.

“The Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) is directed to proceed with the inventory of cases decided by … Reyes to determine whether there is basis to allegations that convictions were reversed in exchange for money,” the resolution read.

The SC also ordered the OCA to investigate the driver of Reyes for alleged bribery. It also requested the National Bureau of Investigation to locate the witnesses identified in Abad’s report.

Abad said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency submitted an affidavit by a certain Paul Black dated Oct. 26, 2007 that he paid P50,000 in exchange for the dismissal of a case filed against his wife.

PDEA also submitted documents showing that Reyes dismissed the case against a certain Norma Domingo, who supposedly negotiated payoffs on behalf of the judge with those charged with similar offenses.

An affidavit by Melchora Nagen said she was acquitted after paying P50,000.

Abad also cited anonymous letters from certain lawyers saying their clients obtained similar acquittals.

Reyes had denied the allegations, saying the acquittals were based solely on evidence.