Erring sheriff faces more raps

A lawyers’ group yesterday filed an administrative complaint before the Supreme Court against a Mandaluyong sheriff who was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last Monday for allegedly extorting P2 million from a rape victim’s mother in exchange for a favorable decision by the judge, who happens to be the suspect’s mother-in-law.

In filing a complaint against Ronaldo Felix Awid, the Gender Justice Network asked the High Court to dismiss him from government service and ban him from holding any public office in the future.

“We are encouraging people to come out and complain if they are victims of extortion. We must help weed out corruption in the judiciary,” said lawyer Rowena Guanzon.

Supreme Court spokesman Midas Marquez said the Court will act accordingly on the complaint filed.

According to the NBI’s Counter-Intelligence Division (CID), Awid, 35, was arrested along with his father, Robert, a lawyer who also allegedly negotiated with the rape victim’s mother.   – Mike Frialde