Ex-Camarines Norte judge gets 3 years for solicitation

MANILA, Philippines – The Sandiganbayan has sentenced a former regional trial court judge in Daet, Camarines Norte to three years in prison for soliciting and receiving money from a police official in exchange for the dismissal of his case. 

Owen Amor, who was disqualified from holding public office, was found guilty of violating Section 7(d) of Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, the Office of the Ombudsman said yesterday.

Investigation showed Amor solicited and accepted P400,000 from Superintendent Danilo Manzano in January 2000. 

Manzano said Amor invited him to the judge’s residence. Manzano was  told that his “influential” opponent had offered Amor P1 million. 

Amor told him to produce half of his opponent’s offer for his acquittal, Manzano said.

 Amor was arrested in an entrapment conducted by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force. 

“The accused, who is not a mere court employee but a presiding judge… should be reminded of the nature and responsibilities of public officers,” the Sandiganbayan ruling stated.

“Those involved in the administration of justice must live up to the strictest standards of honesty and integrity in the public service,” it added.