Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 3) — The Supreme Court has instructed an official to look into the incident concerning a judge based in Baguio City who allegedly interfered in the arrest of a drunk taxi driver on New Year’s Eve.
Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta said Friday he has told Court Administrator Jose Marquez to speak to Baguio police and request for copies of their statements concerning Judge Roberto Mabalot.
Mabalot is also required to comment within ten days while the Office of the Court Administrator was also told to submit its recommendation 15 days after receiving Mabalot’s comment. Marquez said earlier that he was already looking into the incident.
Mabalot has denied having interfered in the driver’s arrest, saying he merely told the driver that he will not be detained since the penalty for reckless driving is “only a fine.”
“He was in fear … and asked me if he will be detained. Knowing that the penalty for recklessness is only a FINE, I told him he cannot be detained,” a post from Baguio’s Public Information Office Facebook page quoted Mabalot as saying.
The judge also explained that he responded to the request of a relative to attend to the driver in the police station on the day of the latter’s arrest. He added that he also scolded the driver since he tested positive for alcohol. Mabalot said they later left after confirming that the police recorded the incident in a blotter and after seeing that the driver was given a citation ticket.
“I declare that I did not at all interfere. The police will confirm this fact,” said Mabalot.
However, reports said Baguio City police were considering administrative raps against the judge. It added that the driver allegedly tried to run over a police officer on the night of the incident.
