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[A.M. No. 01-3-183-RTC.March 27, 2001]

IN RE: NBI ENTRAPMENT OF JUDGE JAIME BAUTISTA

EN BANC

Gentlemen:

Quoted hereunder, for your information, is a resolution of this Court dated MAR 27 2001.

A.M. No. 01-3-183-RTC(In Re: NBI Entrapment of Judge Jaime Bautista of the Regional Trial Court of Valenzuela City.)

In the 22 March 2001 issue of various newspapers, it was reported that Judge Jaime Bautista of the Regional Trial Court of Valenzuela City was caught in flagrante delicto, in an entrapment operation set by the NBI, allegedly receiving the balance of P5,000 of the P10,000 he demanded from a litigant, for which he was arrested by the NBI and charged with robbery and extortion before the Ombudsman.

On page 11 of the Philippine Star issue of 22 March, the news article reads as follows:

Judge arrested

in bribery case

Suspect caught during NBI entrapment

For a mere P10,000, an executive judge of the Valenzuela Regional Trial Court (RTC) was arrested in an entrapment operation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after receiving the balance of the demanded sum last Tuesday.

Judge Jaime Bautista of Valenzuela RTC Branch 75 was inquested yesterday for direct bribery at the Office of the Ombudsman following his arrest by members of the NBI-Intelligence and Special Operation Division.

Bautista reportedly had marks of the fluorescent powder on his hands when accosted, evidence that he received the money when operatives pounced on him inside his courtroom.

Based on the NBI charge sheet filed with the Ombudsman, Bautista received the P5,000 balance of the P10,000 demanded at about 1:30 p.m. Tuesday from complainant Ranel Paruli, a liaison officer of Sierra Madre Transportation Co. Inc., (SMTCI) located in Cubol Sapa, Libutod, Angeles City.

Bautista, of Bloomingdale Subdivision in Angono, Rizal, reportedly received the initial P5,000 cash from the complainant last March 16, reportedly witnessed by the latter's driver, Louie Folloso, and an employee of the judge identified only as Ric.

The cash was reportedly demanded in exchange for the junking of a damage suit and writ of preliminary attachment filed by one Claudi Cadium and Rolando Milare against the company.

Above the article is a picture of Judge Bautista escorted by his lawyer and an NBI agent after the proceedings at the Office of the Ombudsman on 21 March 2001.

It is further reported by the newspaper Malaya that Judge Bautista posted a bail bond of P24,000 for his provisional liberty.

In his Memorandum of 23 March 2001 to Acting Court Administrator Zenaida N. Elepa�o, the Chief Justice directed the latter to forthwith conduct an investigation into the matter and to submit her recommendation thereon within ten (10) days from her receipt of the Memorandum.

In light of the seriousness of the charge against him and of his arrest and filing of a bond for his provisional liberty, and in order to protect the honor and integrity of the Judiciary, Judge Bautista is hereby SUSPENDED effective immediately. The suspension shall remain in force until this matter is resolved, or until further orders of the Court.

The Office of the Court Administrator shall immediately implement this Resolution. Puno, J., is abroad on official business.

Very truly yours,

(Sgd.) MA. LUISA D. VILLARAMA

Acting Clerk of Court


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