Supreme Court (SC) has ordered an investigation of two Regional Trial Court (RTC) judges who issued the search warrants used by policemen to justify their operation against Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa inside the Baybay sub-provincial jail in Leyte. The order came after the SC en banc ordered a re-docketing of the case for the filing of formal administrative charges. To be investigated are RTC Branch 14 Judge Carlos Arguelles in Baybay, Leyte and RTC Branch 30 Judge Tarcelo Sabarre Jr. in Basey, Samar. Judge Janet Cabalona of Calbiga, Samar RTC Branch 33 is also being investigated for similarly issuing two search warrants against Espinosa and another detainee who also died in the government jail. The SC earlier mandated the Office of the Court Administrator (OCA), led by lawyer Jose Midas Marquez, to conduct an investigation.

Source: Manila Times January 24, 2017 14:10 UTC