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Pangandag vs. Abinal

MOAMAR PANGANDAG, Complainant, vs. PRESIDING JUDGE OTTOWA B. ABINAL, 8th Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Mulondo, Maguing, Lumba-Bayabao, and Taraka, Lanao del Sur, Respondent. Present: SERENO, CJ, LEONARDO-DE CASTRO, BERSAMIN, PERLAS-BERNABE, CAGUIOA, JJ.

A.M. No. MTJ-16-1877 (Formerly OCA IPI No. 13-2635-MT J) | 2016-06-13

 

DECISION


SERENO, CJ:

This administrative 'case concerns the complaint filed against Municipal Circuit Trial Court (MCTC) Judge Ottowa B. Abinal for gross ignorance of the law, abuse and usurpation of jurisdiction, conduct prejudicial to the interest of public service, and bias. The complaint alleges that he did not have jurisdiction to take cognizance of a criminal complaint for grave threats, since the offense carried the penalty of reclusion temporal. The complaint further asserts that Judge Abinal issued a warrant of arrest despite knowing that the private complainant therein was his niece.

FACTS

Complainant Moamar Pangandag was...