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By Jomar Canlas, Reporter
THE Supreme Court is now setting
an example in getting rid of “hoodlums in robes” by sacking from
the service a corrupt judge who received bribe money from a litigant
in an entrapment.
This was after the Court en banc
junked with finality the motion for reconsideration of Judge Luisito
Adaoag of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court of Gerona-Ramos-Pura,
Tarlac.
The High Court said that the
arguments presented by the judge was already tackled by the Court
and no substantial defense were presented to change their earlier
per curiam dated November 16, 2006.
The 15-man tribunal forfeited
Adaoag’s benefits and barred his employment in any branch or
service of government including government-owned and -controlled
corporations.
On June 11, 2003, the NBI
operatives entrapped Adaoag by preparing five pieces of P100 bills
dusted with fluorescent powder and mixed them with several bundles
of money.
It started from a June 9, 2003,
complaint of Desiree Legario before the NBI, alleging that she was
arrested on May 9, 2003, pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by
respondent judge for violation of the Bouncing Checks Law.
She was released on bail after
giving P1,500 to arresting officer Police Officer 3 Eddie Galicia
and P2,000 to Adaoag.
Galicia advised her to prepare a
motion to quash for the dismissal of her case, as well as P20,000 to
be given to the judge.
Pending investigation Judge
Adaoag was suspended by the High Court, yet he still managed to
continue with the performance of his duties.
Dominga Salazar filed another
complaint to the Court pointing out that despite his suspension
Adaoag still issued a warrant of arrest against her on October 22,
2003.
The Court agreed with the
findings of Court Administrator Consultant Justice Narcisco Atienza,
saying “there is substantial evidence showing that respondent
judge is guilty of serious misconduct for committing acts
constituting direct bribery.”
The Supreme Court stressed that
Adaoag tainted the image of the judiciary to which “he owes fealty
and the obligation to keep it all times unsullied and worthy of the
people’s trust.”
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