Court clears Bellas of misconduct charges

Supreme Court Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan has cleared Associate Judge Timothy H. Bellas of charges of misconduct and improprieties, saying there is no sufficient evidence to conduct an investigation into the latter’s actions.

He junked the complaint filed by Rep. Stanley T. Torres asking the Supreme Court to take disciplinary actions against Judge Bellas who came under fire for his actions during the last elections and even his conduct outside the office.

According to the SC chief, this matter does not merit a need to conduct further investigation based on the affidavits submitted by both parties.

“From the affidavits of the witnesses, I did not find Judge Bellas campaigned nor did any activity which adversely affected the interest of the public or bring disrepute to the judiciary,” said Justice Demapan in a letter to the lawmaker.

“There is insufficient case to proceed against the judge. Without any clear and convincing evidence, there will be no need to conduct a hearing,” he added.

His decision stemmed from Mr. Torres’ allegations that Judge Bellas had violated standards imposed on members of the judiciary for the past two years, particularly during the Nov. 6 polls where he campaigned for his retention in the Superior Court.

The complaint, filed in November with both the SC and the Attorney General’s Office, sought disciplinary actions against the judge. However, last December, then acting Attorney General Maya B. Kara refused to step in as the AGO has no authority over such matter.

Mr. Torres cited five instances over the past two years to support the charges, including Judge Bellas’ campaign activity in the Nov. 6 elections where he was up for retention vote but eventually failed to get enough votes to continue his term of office beyond the expiration on 2001.

He claimed Judge Bellas attended a political meeting on Oct. 13 on Rota to seek votes of supporters and used the official seal of the judicial branch for a campaign ad prior to the elections.

On charges of his conduct beyond office hours, Mr. Torres alleged he was “often seen with his lawyer friends in public places socializing over bottles of beer, and at times shots of Tequila.”

He also noted violation of the Constitution in one of the cases the judge tried involving Mr. Antonio O. Quitugua whom he forbade from speaking his indigenous language in his court.

Judge Bellas has in the past defended himself from such criticisms, including his private life, even as he noted the Nov. 6 referendum had forced him to campaign to keep his job.

There is no immediate reaction from Mr. Torres on the decision by Justice Demapan which was contained in a letter to the lawmaker released the other day.