Higher fines await judges convicted of admin offenses

The Supreme Court will slap higher fines on judges found guilty of administrative offenses starting May 31.

According to the SC, a judge found guilty of a serious charge may be dismissed or suspended and slapped with a fine of more than P100,000 but not exceeding P200,000.

If the respondent is guilty of a less serious charge, the fine may range from P35,000 to P100,000.

The fines previously imposed ranged from P1,000 to P40,000.

The SC said the adjustments seek “to harmonize the fine imposed with the period of suspension from office and considering the depreciation of the value of the Philippine peso.”

Serious charges include bribery, immorality, gross ignorance of the law or procedure, and crimes involving moral turpitude.