SC probes Pasig judge in Payanig case

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) is investigating the Pasig judge who dismissed the government’s ejectment cases against “non-paying” tenants occupying the “Payanig sa Pasig” property.

The STAR learned yesterday that the administrative complaint filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and the Mid-Pasig Land Development Corp. (MPLDC) against Pasig City Regional Trial Court Judge Joy Casihan-Dumlao is now undergoing evaluation by the high court.

Specifically, the complaint is with the legal department of the Office of Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez for assessment.

“Just like any other administrative case, the respondent judge would be asked to answer the charge,” explained an insider, who requested not to be named because of the confidentiality of the probe.

Under the rules, the OCA would submit its recommendation and findings to the SC justices for approval during session.

In their 10-page complaint filed before the Supreme Court last Sept. 10, the PCGG accused Judge Dumlao – previously of Pasig Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 72 and promoted as RTC judge – of gross ignorance of the law and “knowingly rendering an unjust judgment when she dismissed all 11 complaints” filed against the Payanig sa Pasig tenants.

The PCGG stressed the Land Registration Authority and the National Bureau of Investigation have affirmed the authenticity of the government’s title covering a portion of the disputed 18.5-hectare “Payanig.”

It also said Dumlao was promoted to the RTC of Pasig last March 14, 2013, a day before she signed the “questionable” decision. The PCGG said it only received a copy of the decision on May 17, 2013 or two months after it was promulgated.