MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has dismissed a Makati City judge whose decision in the 2012 killing of a United States Marine had dismayed the US embassy in Manila. In a 13-page decision, the high court dismissed from service Makati Regional Trial Court Branch 59 Judge Winlove Dumayas over his July 2, 2014 verdict that downgraded the charge against Crispin de la Paz and Galicano Datu III from murder to homicide. Apart from dismissal, the SC also ordered the forfeiture of Dumayas’ retirement benefits with prejudice to re-employment in government. The SC also did not buy the judge’s finding that the voluntary surrender of the two accused served as ordinary mitigating circumstance. Apart from his verdict, the High Court also cited Dumayas’ sentence of imprisonment of four years, two months and one day to six years, which made the accused eligible for probation.

Source: Philippine Star April 30, 2018 13:18 UTC