MANILA, Philippines — Judge Jaime Contreras of the Naga Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 25 in Camarines Sur, who was charged with rape, attempted rape, acts of lasciviousness as well as child abuse, exploitation and discrimination, has been dismissed for grave misconduct.
The Supreme Court (SC) said an administrative complaint was filed against Contreras before the Office of the Court of Administrator in 2014.
The SC said a warrant had since been issued, but Contreras evaded arrest, making him a “fugitive judge.”
“The court held that a judge who deliberately and continuously fails and refuses to comply with lawful orders or resolutions is guilty of grave misconduct. By becoming a fugitive from justice and evading arrest, Judge Contreras committed grave misconduct,” the SC said.
With Contreras’ dismissal, the high court said all his benefits, except his leave credits, have been forfeited.
The judge was banned from employment in any public office while his case was referred to the Office of the Bar Confidant for disbarment proceedings.
Based on the complaint, Contreras allegedly first molested his victim in 1994. The victim said the abuse became more frequent until 2004.
The high court said the judge was also guilty of dishonesty for failing to disclose in his personal data sheet that he was found to have committed simple misconduct by the Office of the Ombudsman when he applied as judge in 2016.