The Sandiganbayan has meted out a lifetime ban from public office on a resigned Lanao del Sur judge for ordering the release of a detainee without a lawful order. In a 15-page decision dated Dec. 7, the court’s Second Division found former Marawi City Municipal Trial Court in Cities Presiding Judge Baguinda-Ali Ahmad Pacalna guilty of violating Presidential Decree No. The judge was accused of “exerting undue influence” on the Marawi City jail warden to turn over to him Menor Saud on the sole basis of a handwritten acknowledgment receipt on Sept. 19, 2007. Saud was detained for illegal possession of a .357 revolver and had a pending arrest warrant for car theft. In 2012, Pacalna tried to apply to become judge of the Marawi City Regional Trial Court Branch 9.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 16, 2018 20:37 UTC