SC suspends Olongapo judge over bribery charge

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the suspension of an Olongapo City judge over an alleged bribery attempt. 

In a resolution issued on March 9, but released only yesterday, the high tribunal said the suspension of Olongapo Regional Trial Court Branch 73 Judge Norman Pamintuan is effective immeditely.

Pamintuan will be suspended pending the results of the investigation of the charges filed against him.

The SC also directed Pamintuan to comment on complaints of inefficiency and conflict of interest  and prove why no disciplinary action should be taken against him.

Pamintuan was likewise directed to explain his failure to decide 16 cases within the mandated period despite his minimal caseload.

The preventive suspension against Pamintuan stemmed from complaints raised by first and second level court judges in Olongapo City during a judicial audit in January by the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA).

The SC said the matter would be treated as an administrative complaint and consolidated with another OCA complaint.