SC fires judge tagged in 'Ma'am Arlene' controversy

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court dismissed a judge who figured in the controversial 2013 elections of the Philippine Judges Association said to have influenced by court fixer "Ma'am Arlene," a Janet Lim Napoles in the judiciary.

In its 32-page per curiam decision on June 10, the high court ordered Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 24 Judge Marino Rubia of Biñan, Laguna for gross violations of the New Code of Judicial Conduct, as cited in a state news report.

The court forfeited all of Rubia's retirement benefits except accrued leave credits. He is also disqualified from reinstatement or appointment in any public office, including government-owned corporations.

Rubia is among the four judges ordered investigated last week by the Supreme Court for their alleged ties with  "Ma'am Arlene."

Read earlier story: SC orders probe vs. 4 judges linked to 'Ma'am Arlene'

Rubia's dismissal stems from an administrative complaint by Emilie Sison-Barias who accused the RTC judge of unbecoming conduct, partiality, gross ignorance of the law and incompetence in handing three cases on the estate of the complainant's late husband.

The high court also suspended Eileen Pecana, Biñan RTC data encoder, for one year for gross misconduct.

In her complaint, Barias said she met with Rubia and Pecana over dinner in a Taguig City restaurant to discuss the pending cases.

The judge and the encoder allegedly solicited information on Barias' supposed involvement with another man, her links to a leading airline and a hospital where her husband suffered cardiac arrest in.

The Supreme Court en banc rejected an earlier Court of Appeals investigation report saying Barias failed to present substantial evidence of the encounter.

The high court said Barias' testimony was supported by traces of text messages between Barias and Pecana that "could cause suspicion toward her work as a work personnel."

"Respondent Pecana's actions constitute a clear violation of the requirement that all court personnel uphold integrity and prudence in all their actions," the Supreme Court said.

The court also castigated Rubia for failing to admonish his staff and "to live up to the standards of his office." - Camille Diola