The Supreme Court has ruled that Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Romeo Buenaventura is guilty of simple misconduct and neglect of duty in the drug case against former Senator Leila de Lima. As a result, he has been fined a total of P36,000, with P18,000 for each offense.
The disciplinary action was prompted by complaints from De Lima’s legal team, who asserted that Judge Buenaventura failed to immediately recuse himself despite a clear conflict of interest. His brother, Emmanuel Buenaventura, had been a legal adviser to the late Congressman Reynaldo Umali, who played a significant role in the congressional inquiry against De Lima. This connection raised questions regarding the judge’s impartiality in handling the case.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court condemned the extensive delay in ruling on De Lima’s motion for bail, which was filed in 2020 but only decided in 2023. Judge Buenaventura defended the delay by citing disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Court rejected this explanation, pointing out that videoconferencing hearings had been introduced in 2021, making it possible to continue court proceedings despite pandemic-related restrictions.
In June 2023, after increasing concerns over his impartiality, Judge Buenaventura voluntarily stepped down from De Lima’s remaining drug case. While maintaining that the allegations against him were baseless, he admitted that the controversy surrounding his involvement had affected the court’s credibility. He stated that his decision to withdraw from the case was driven by his duty to preserve public trust in the judiciary.
Following his recusal, De Lima’s legal team filed an administrative complaint against Judge Buenaventura in September 2023. They argued that his delayed inhibition, despite being aware of his brother’s involvement, was intentional and compromised the fairness of the proceedings. The complaint highlighted how his actions contributed to prolonged delays, ultimately affecting De Lima’s right to a speedy trial.
The Supreme Court’s ruling emphasizes the importance of ethical standards and impartiality in the judiciary. The Court has issued a warning that if Judge Buenaventura commits similar offenses in the future, he will face stricter penalties.
This case is part of the larger legal battle involving De Lima, who faced three drug-related charges, all of which were dismissed between 2021 and 2024. These dismissals led to her release from detention and have been viewed by her supporters as a vindication of her innocence.
The ruling against Judge Buenaventura highlights the crucial need for judicial integrity and the timely administration of justice, especially in high-profile cases that impact public confidence in the legal system.