Supreme Court to look into complaint vs Samar judge

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) said yesterday it would look into an administrative complaint filed by disgruntled employees of Eastern Samar against a Borongan City judge who stopped the release of funds for their salaries last month.

“I haven’t seen the complaint yet. I will see if it would warrant an investigation,” Court Administrator Midas Marquez, who has supervision over all judges in the country, said.

Employees of the provincial government, represented by Antonio Salas, filed a complaint with the SC against Borongan City Regional Trial Court Branch 1 Judge Elvie Lim, whom they accused of “gross ignorance of the law, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the interest of the service.” The employees said they did not receive their salary last March 22 because of Lim's directive.

Also named respondents in the petition were provincial accountant Vener Dulfo, provincial budget officer Necitas Ponferada and Sangguniang Panlalawigan members Enerio Sabulao, Byron Suyot, Aldwin Uy Aklao, Beatriz Reyes, Jenny Baldono and Joji Montallana.

The petitioners said Lim issued a preventive injunction order last March 19 stopping the implementation of several ordinances approved by the provincial council, allegedly without requiring the petitioners to post the injunction bond as provided under the rules of court.

“Judge Lim did not even explain or give reason in exempting the petitioners to post the necessary bond,” Salas said.

The petitioners said Lim also stopped the implementation of appropriation ordinances including the P666.2 million budget of San Policarpio town for this year; P8-million for the construction of covered courts in Barangay Alugan and Barangay Tangbo, Arteche and concreting of a municipal road in Barangay Can-avid; and P600 million for road concreting and water system construction in Barangay Bahay, also in San Policarpio town.

Salas also accused Lim of violating the Code of Judicial Conduct in allegedly asking a favor from Gov. Conrado Nicart Jr. He claimed that the judge asked for the appointment of her nephew, Jimmy Lim Jr., for a permanent position in the provincial capitol.

“This act of Judge Lim in soliciting favors from politicians certainly affected his independence and impartiality, which are required of a judge,” Salas said.