‘Pampanga judge must answer raps’

MANILA, Philippines - The Supreme Court (SC) will require the executive judge of San Fernando regional trial court in Pampanga to answer the administrative and criminal charges filed against her by detained Globe Asiatique president Delfin Lee.

SC court administrator Jose Midas Marquez said he would look into Lee’s complaint against Judge Divina Luz Simbulan.

“We will give Simbulan an opportunity to present her side if there is merit in the allegations,” Marquez said in a text message to The STAR yesterday.

The SC official refused to confirm having received the complaint, citing confidentiality in administrative cases filed against members of the judiciary.

On Thursday, Lee filed a complaint against Simbulan, who has been pushing for his transfer from the provincial jail to the city jail.

 The businessman, who is standing trial for a P6.6-billion syndicated estafa case, accused Simbulan of extortion.

Lee wanted Simbulan dismissed from judicial service for allegedly meddling in the case, which is being heard by another judge.