Pag-IBIG files complaint vs Pasig RTC judge

On orders of Vice President Jejomar Binay, Pag-IBIG Fund on Tuesday filed an administrative complaint against the judge who blocked the filing of a syndicated estafa case against the owner of property developer Globe Asiatique. Pag-IBIG filed the complaint against Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 167 Judge Ronaldo Mislang, who issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Department of Justice which was filing a syndicated estafa case against Globe Asiatique president and CEO Delfin Lee and its other executives. In the complaint, Pag-IBIG said Mislang committed "gross negligence of the law and grave misconduct" when he issued the 20-day TRO. The judge violated Section 3 (e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Article 206 of the Revised Penal Code by issuing "an unjust order" and causing "malicious delay in administration of justice," said the state-owned loan fund for government and private sector employees. “For the honorable Mislang’s failure to observe the basic laws and rules on injunction is not only inexcusable, but renders him susceptible to administrative sanction for gross ignorance of the law and incompetence. Failure to follow basic legal commands embodied in the law and the rules constitutes gross ignorance of the law from which no one is excused, and surely not a judge," the complaint read.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV 'Bad faith and malice' Pag-IBIG said Mislang demonstrated "bad faith and malice" when he issued the TRO even though the DOJ panel of prosecutors had previously denied a similar petition to suspend proceedings filed by Lee last January 27. The agency also questioned Mislang’s decision not to require Lee to post a bond, which is a basic requirement by Section 4 Rule 58 of the Rules of Court on injunctive relief. Without the TRO, Lee – whose company supposedly used fictitious buyers to secure government housing loans – could have spent time in jail since estafa is a non-bailable offense. Pag-IBIG, meanwhile, said it is considering filing additional cases of syndicated estafa against Globe Asiatique after receiving more complaints against the developer. Apart from the complaints regarding the Xevera Housing Project in Mabalacat, Pampanga, they have also received complaints from homeowners of Sta. Barbara village in San Mateo, Rizal, said Pag-IBIG president Atty. Darlene Berberabe. She encouraged other victims of Globe Asiatique to come out. “Nananawagan po kami sa iba pang miyembro ng Pag-IBIG na posibleng naging biktima ng double selling ng Globe Asiatique na lumantad at magsampa rin ng kaukulang reklamo. Handa po kaming tumulong. Pumunta lamang po kayo sa branch na malapit sa inyo," she said. — VS, GMA News