Mupas suspends direct contempt order vs Abalos lawyer

MANILA, Philippines - Judge Jesus Mupas of the Pasay City regional trial court (RTC) suspended yesterday the direct contempt order against the lawyer of detained former elections chairman Benjamin Abalos in compliance with the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals (CA).

However, Felda Domingo, RTC Branch 112 legal researcher, told The STAR that the 10-day imprisonment and P2,000 fine have been imposed on Abalos, who is detained at the Southern Police District in Taguig.

“Actually Abalos is now serving the 10-day prison term and he has 15 days to pay the fine, otherwise it will be converted into additional jail term,” she said.

Domingo said the TRO only covers lawyer Brigido Dulay because he was the only one who has filed a petition in the CA.

The fine is P8 per day if Abalos fails to pay it, she added.

However, Dulay said in a telephone interview that the TRO applies to him and Abalos.

Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos said implementation of the direct contempt against his father despite the TRO has shown the bias of the court.

“With this development the more reason that Judge Mupas must inhibit from the case,” he said.

On Tuesday, the CA issued a 60-day TRO on the arrest order against Dulay and Abalos.

Mupas has cited Dulay and Abalos for direct contempt after Dulay filed a motion for inhibition alleging that certain individuals claiming to be emissaries of Mupas tried to extort P100 million from Abalos.

The CA has set hearing for the issuance of a preliminary injunction on Feb. 2.