Supreme Court drops publisher's complaint vs Judge

By Florence F. Hibionada

The Supreme Court (SC) resolved to dismiss the administrative complaint filed by a publisher against a Regional Trial Court Judge here.

Pegged by the First Division, the dismissal came about “for lack of merit” as it went on to “note” the complaint alongside the respondent-Judge's reply.  Docketed as Administrative Matter OCA IPI No. 04-2080-RTJ, Bernie G. Miaque vs. Judge Danilo P. Galvez, Regional Trial Court, Branch 24, Iloilo City, the complaint stemmed from an earlier case of the publisher with said Judge presiding.

The SC dismissal caused Judge Galvez to call on Miaque's attention saying now that a Resolution was reached, it is about time he be accorded equal space in Miaque's local daily.

“Aside the filing of the administrative complaint, you also broadcasted the same in radio interviews and published it on several occasion in your newspaper – The Informer,” excerpts of Judge Galvez's letter to Miaque obtained by The News Today stated. 

“You made the undersigned the generous recipient of your virulent tirade attacking his competency and integrity as a judge. 

The administrative complaint having been dismissed by the Supreme Court for lack of merit, it is only right that the public should also know the conclusion thereof. 

Wherefore, the undersigned kindly request for a space in your newspaper to publish the Resolution of the Supreme Court, if only for the sake of fair play and balance reporting.”

The SC Resolution was reached July 27, 2005 but was made public only this week.

“Considering the sworn-complaint dated August 27, 2004 of Bernie G. Miaque charging respondent Judge Danilo P. Galvez with gross misconduct, knowingly rendering an unjust judgment and partiality in handling Civil Case No. 02-27292 (Air Transportation Office vs. Bernie G. Miaque) for unlawful detainer, relative to the order directing the issuance of a writ of execution which, according to complainant, was issued precipitately and in disregard of the temporary restraining order issued by the Court of Appeals, the Court Resolves to (a) NOTE: (1) the said complaint; and (2) the comment thereon of respondent Judge; and (b) DISMISS  the instant administrative case for lack of merit,” dispositive portion of the Resolution went.