Judge Who Favored Philippine Arena Fugitive Contractor in Hot Water
The Supreme Court has ordered the filing of administrative charges against the Manila RTC judge who ignored the high tribunal’s orders on the detention of a South Korean contractor, who worked for the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) building, the Philippine Arena
Manila Regional Trial Court (MTC) Judge Paulino Gallegos, who granted the writ of amparo to Ja Hoon Ku, whom the South Korean embassy says is wanted in their country for stealing $200 million, is facing administrative charges.
The South Korean contractor Ku was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on January 16, 2014, on the request of the Korean Embassy.
Ja Hoon Ku, a fugitive in South Korea sought a writ of Amparo from Manila Trial Court, claiming that his life was in danger from being pursued by the Korean government operatives.
Judge Gallegos granted the writ of amparo two weeks after the request, and ordered the transfer of Ku to the custody of the Philippine National Police-Security and Protection Group, which the judge mandated to protect the foreigner and his family.
Bureau of Immigration chief Siegfred Mison questioned the order of Gallegos before the high court, which rebuked the order of MTC. Mison then petitioned the lower court to dismiss the request filed by Ku.
Gallegos however ruled that Mison’s petition was without merit, ignoring the ruling Supreme Court.
The high tribunal saw the defiance of Gallegos as disrespecting an order of the country’s Supreme Court.
“A resolution of the Supreme Court should not be construed as a mere request, and should be complied with promptly and completely. Such failure to comply accordingly betrays not only a recalcitrant streak in character, but also disrespect for the Court’s lawful order and directive,” the high court said.
“Judge Gallegos should know that judges must respect the orders and decisions of higher tribunals, especially the Supreme Court from which all other courts take their bearings,” it added.
“When the judge himself becomes the transgressor of the law which he is sworn to apply, he places his office in disrepute, encourages disrespect for the law and impairs public confidence in the integrity of the judiciary itself,” SC added.
The Supreme Court has rejected the motion of a Korean contractor of the Philippine Arena for a writ of amparo. The high court said Ja Hoon Ku, who is allegedly wanted in South Korea for stealing $200 million, has no sufficient evidence that his life was in danger. The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) had reportedly gotten the contracting and building services of Ku in building the arena.
News outlets in South Korea said that the stealing of more than $200 million happened before Ku got INC’s contract to build the world’s largest indoor arena.
There is no detailed information on how Ku got access to the alleged $200M and how he managed to steal the huge fund. While Ku is in BI’s custody, he is still considered fugitive in his native country unless the Philippine government deports him.
/Lala Marquez/ Assisted Press
