A.M. No. MTJ 16-1886
(formerly OCA IPI No. 16-2869-MTJ)
Facts: An anonymous complaint was filed before the Ombudsman and which was endorsed to the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA) for appropriate action since it is the Supreme Court which has administrative supervision over justices, judges and court personnel.
Allegations: 1. Judge Dagala brandished a long firearm during an altercation with a neighbor over a piece of lot. There was a video of the incident and photos were likewise taken as proof.
2. Judge Dagala is involved in illegal activities; illegal logging; illegal drugs; illegal fishing; illegal gambling; maintaining a private army; possessing illegal firearms; and having several mistresses.
An investigation was undertaken and it was found out that:
1. was legally married to a woman in 2006 and they had no children;
2. he has three children with three different women, born in 2000, 2007 and 2008, respectively;
3.his wife is receiving a monthly support from him in the amount of P10,000;
4. In 2008, Judge Dagala and his wife agreed to live separately;
5. he sired another child with another woman in 2008;
6. A court interpreter in Judge Dagala's court was arrested in a buy-bust operation; and
7. Judge Dagala used to own a cockpit but he sold it to another.
Judge Dagala's defenses:
1. he was legally married and now separated;
2. his wife had forgiven him for his unfaithfulness;
3. he denied being involved in illegal activities;
4. his only connection with the charge of illegal drug activities was the former court interpreter who was arrested during a buy-bust operation;
5. he had already sold his cockpit in 2008 to dispel any suspicion that he was engaged in illegal gambling.
The OCA received a flashdrive from an anonymous source containing a video which captured
sMiLe!!
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