SC fines judge in de Lima drug case for delays

The Supreme Court (File Photo By patrickroque01/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0)

By Benjamin Pulta, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – A Muntinlupa regional trial court judge (RTC) has been fined by the Supreme Court (SC) for causing delays in the drug case of former senator Leila de Lima.

In a resolution dated Nov. 13, 2024, the SC First Division found Judge Romeo Buenaventura guilty of simple misconduct and simple neglect of duty and fined a total of PHP36,000.

The tribunal also warned the erring judge that any repeat offense would be dealt with more severely.

Defense lawyers Teddy Esteban Rigoroso and Rolly Francis Peoro had lodged the administrative complaint against Buenaventura claiming the latter’s actions contributed to delays in the case.

De Lima’s counsels had filed a motion for bail in December 2020, followed by another in March 2023. Buenaventura only ruled on the motions on June 7, 2023, denying them because “the evidence of guilt is strong.”

In June 2024, another Muntinlupa court dismissed the third and final case against de Lima for alleged acts committed while she was secretary of justice.

She was also acquitted in two other drug cases – in February 2021 and May 2023.