SC requires Pampanga judge to answer ‘extortion’ raps

SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga -- The Supreme Court (SC) will require the executive judge here to answer the administrative and criminal charges filed against her by detained Globe Asiatique president Delfin Lee.

SC court administrator Jose Midas Marquez said he would look into Lee’s complaint against Judge Divina Luz Simbulan.

“We will give Simbulan an opportunity to present her side if there is merit in the allegations,” Marquez said.

An SC official refused to confirm having received the complaint, citing confidentiality in administrative cases filed against members of the judiciary.

On Nov. 4, Lee filed a complaint against Simbulan, who has been pushing for his transfer from the provincial jail to the city jail.

The businessman, who is standing trial for a P6.6-billion syndicated estafa case, accused Simbulan of extortion.

Lee wanted Simbulan dismissed from judicial service for allegedly meddling in the case, which is being heard by another judge.

In a five-page complaint filed with the Office of the Court Administrator of the SC on Nov. 3, , Lee said Simbulan should be disbarred and dismissed from the service for meddling in the P6.6-billion syndicated estafa case he is facing.

He said RTC Branch 42 Judge Maria Amifaith Fider-Reyes is handling the case.

Lee said Simbulan coordinated with Telabastagan jail officials for his transfer despite the absence of any order from Fider-Reyes.

He also accused Simbulan of direct extortion. He said Simbulan solicited a brand new Nissan Patrol in exchange for allowing him to be interviewed by the media.

Lee said he refused to give in to the demand of the judge because he was ”financially distressed.”

For failing to comply with Simbulan’s demand, Lee said she caused the closure of a bakery in the jail, which she claimed he donated as livelihood program for the inmates.

Marquez said he would look into Lee’s charges.