Delfin Lee files raps vs Pampanga judge

MANILA, Philippines - Detained Globe Asiatique president Delfin Lee has filed administrative and criminal charges against the executive judge of San Fernando, Pampanga regional trial court (RTC) who is pushing for his transfer from the Pampanga provincial jail to a city jail.

In a five-page complaint filed with the Office of the Court Administrator of the Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday, Lee said RTC Executive Judge Divina Luz Simbulan should be disbarred and dismissed from the service for meddling in the P6.6-billion syndicated estafa case he is facing. He said RTC Branch 42 Judge Maria Amifaith Fider-Reyes is handling the case.

Lee said Simbulan coordinated with Telabastagan jail officials for his transfer despite the absence of any order from Fider-Reyes.

He also accused Simbulan of direct extortion. He said Simbulan solicited a brand new Nissan Patrol in exchange for allowing him to be interviewed by the media.

Lee said he refused to give in to the demand of the judge because he was ”financially distressed.”

For failing to comply with Simbulan’s demand, Lee said she caused the closure of a bakery in the jail, which she claimed he donated as livelihood program for the inmates.

Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said he would look into Lee’s charges. – Edu Punay, Ding Cervantes