Sandiganbayan convicts Bulacan judge for extortion

MANILA, Philippines - The Sandiganbayan has sentenced a judge in Bulacan to three years in prison for extorting money from a litigant in 2003.

In its decision, the anti-graft court convicted Judge Henry Domingo of the San Ildefenso,Bulacan Municipal Trial Court of indirect bribery in connection with his extortion acts in February 2003.

The Sandiganbayan belittled the defense of the judge that he was set up, noting that " the defense of frame up just like denial and alibi is looked with disfavor...because it could easily be concocted."

It also gave credence to the testimonies of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents who arranged the sting operation against Domingo.

The case stemmed from the complaint of Ildefonso Cuevas, who accused Domingo of asking money from him in exchange for the dismissal of a criminal case being handled by the judge.

Records showed that Domingo invited Cuevas into his chambers on Feb. 7, 2003 and asked him "Paano ba kita matutulungan dyan?".

The judge then suggested that they meet the following week in a restaurant in Baliwag, Bulacan, where Cuevas would hand over to him P20,000 cash.

Out of fear, Cuevas sought the help of the NBI who arranged an entrapment operation and caught the receiving P10,000 cash and a check amouting to P10,000.