SC orders Pasig judge to explain TRO on Globe Asiatique case

The Supreme Court's Office of the Court Administrator has ordered Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 Judge Rolando Mislang to explain why he issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that prevented the Department of Justice from filing a syndicated estafa case against Delfin Lee, owner and head of property developer Globe Asiatique. On Friday, Court Administrator and SC spokesman Jose Midas Marquez said Mislang is expected to submit a written explanation "by next week." Marquez has administrative supervision over the courts, judges, and justices nationwide. "I have received various information regarding the GA [Globe Asiatique] case, and I have required Judge Mislang to explain the propriety of his issuance of the TRO," Marquez said in a text message. Justice Secretary Leila de Lima had questioned Mislang's issuance of the TRO even if Lee's lawyers have not yet presented a copy of the DOJ Task Force on Securities and Business Scam's resolution approving the filing of a syndicated estafa case against Lee and four others. "How can the parties involved, both the [Office of the Solicitor General] and Lee's counsel, intelligently argue their position when they have yet to see a copy of the resolution?" De Lima asked. Mislang's sala is handling a separate civil suit filed by Lee against the DOJ. However, it accommodated Lee's amended petition to prevent the separate syndicated estafa suit against him from prospering. "This is irregular. We can no longer proceed with this. This is a new case," said De Lima, who added she is wary that Mislang may have railroaded the issuance of a TRO in Lee's favor. To correct the so-called irregularities, De Lima said she has ordered government lawyers from the OSG to file an urgent motion to lift the TRO and another motion seeking Mislang's inhibition from the civil case involving Lee and the DOJ. She added that the DOJ will also file an adminstrative case against Lee before Marquez's office. — RSJ, GMA News